ON THE VITALITY OF SEEDS. 



67 



Report on the Gases evolved in Steeping Flax, and on the Composition 

 and (Economy of the Flax Plant, By Professor Hodges, M.D. 



The investigations directed by the Association at the Belfast Meeting with 

 respect to the gases evolved in the steeping of flax and the composition of 

 flax straw are in progress, and will be reported at the next meeting. The 

 gases of the fermenting vat have been analysed by the methods of Professor 

 Bunsen, and have been found to consist of carbonic acid, hydrogen, and 

 nitrogen. No sulphuretted hydrogen has in any case been detected. Several 

 analyses of the proximate constituents of the dressed fibre and of its inorganic 

 ingredients have been made, which show that a considerable amount of the 

 nitrogenized and other constituents of the plant are retained in the fibre, even 

 after steeping and dressing have been employed to remove the structures 

 unsuitable for textile purposes. 



Thirteenth Report of a Committee, consisting ofH. E. Strickland, 

 Esq., Professor Daubeny, Professor Henslow, and Professor 

 LiNDLEY, appointed to continue their Experiments on the Growth 

 and Vitality of Seeds. 



The portions of each kind of seed set apart for this year's sowing were from 

 tliose gathered in 1845, and are consequently of kinds which have been twice, 

 previously, subjected to experiment, first in 1846, and secondly in 1848. 



The circumsiances under which they were sown were similar to those an- 

 nually resorted to ; nevertheless many have failed and appear to be exhausted, 

 or nearly so, as will be seen by reference to the annexed Register : — 



Name and Date when gathered. 



1845. 



1. Ailantus glandulosa 



2. Alnus glutinosa 



3. Alonsoa incisa 



4. Beta vulgaris 



5. Browallia data 



6. Chrysanthemum coronarium 



7. Cytisus albus 



8. Eccremocarpus scaber 



9. Fagus sylvatica 



10. Fumaria spicata 



11. Gaillardia aristata 



12. Gleditschia triacanthos 



13. Iris, sp 



14. Knautia orientalis 



15. Lopezia racemosa 



16. Lymnanthes Douglasii 



17. Petunia odorata 



18. Schizopetalon Walkeri 



19. Secale Cereale 



20. Spartium Scoparium 



21. Tagetes lucida 



22. Viscaria oculata , 



23. Xeranthemum annuum , 



24. Zea Mays 



25. Zinnia grandiflora 



No. 

 sown. 



50 

 150 

 100 



75 



50 

 150 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 100 

 100 



20 



50 

 150 



50 

 150 



50 

 200 



200 



150 

 150 

 100 

 100 

 100 



No. of Seeds of each 

 Species which vege- 

 tated at 



Ox- Cam- 

 ford, bridge. 



Chis- 

 wick 



Time of vegetating 

 in days at 



Ox- Cam- Chis 

 ford, bridge, wick 



9, J '40 to 

 ''"'t 100 



40 



16 



■ 25 



301 

 30/ 



15 



30 

 27 



Weaklj' and 

 yellow. 



Weakly. 



Weakly. 

 Weakly. 



Weakly. 



F 2 



