336 Miscellaneous. 



Dawson's theory of the origin of the rock from volcanic waters 

 acting on the carbonate of lirae ; it is interesting to observe that 

 Bechi found* the same mineral, with other borates, in the lagoonS 

 of Tuscany. The hydrated conditions of both the borates found 

 in the rock here and of the associated Glauber-salt, shows the 

 action of water, but that of ordinary sea-water would not account 

 for the presence of boracic acid. As regards the soda, the sul- 

 phate and borate of lime were probably the substances originally 

 present, and chlorid of sodium in water being introduced might 

 remove part of the calcium as chlorid, and furnish borate and 

 sulphate of soda ; it is confirmatory of this view that a small 

 quantity of rock-salt in crystalline grains has lately been found 

 in the Gypsum." 



Prof. How has also recognised the mineral GyroUte associated 

 with Apophyllite in the trap of Nova Scotia. 



" STEEPS " FOR SEEDS. 



Of the many " steeps " that have been recommended to facili- 

 tate the germination of seeds, the most intelligible is that of caus- 

 tic potash, or carbonate of potash, applied by M. Andr^ Seroy to 

 seeds naturally protected by fatty or oily pulp. He reports that 

 the seeds of Hollies, Magnolias, Yews, and the like, which often 

 do remain in the ground for a couple of years, come up readily 

 after treatment with potash and subsequent rubbing with sand. 



BLANCHINa OF FLOWERS. 



It it well known that light is as necessary to plants as a due 

 supply of heat and moisture. The effects of its absence are often 

 sinoular. We know that plants grown in darkness do not exhibit 

 their usual healthy green color, light being required for the devel- 

 opment of chlorophyll. Advantage is taken of this circum- 

 stance in the blanching of salads and vegetables, and the same 

 process is now being applied to flowers. It appears that in Paris 

 there is a great demand for white lilacs for ladies' bouquets in win- 

 ter, and as the common white lilac does not force well, the purple 

 " Lilas de Morly" is used. The flowers of this variety, when made 

 to expand at a high temperature, in total darkness, are of a pure 

 white ; those of the Persian lilac will not whiten. 



* Dana's Min., 4th Ed., 394, 395. 



