498  =—- Experiments &3 Obfervations 
temperature, if not deprived of oxygene, without 
which they begin to’putrify ina fhort time. 
.. The preceding experiments relate almoft en- 
tirely to the ‘firft period of vegetation, during 
which the rudiment of the future root comes into 
view from between the feed-lobes ; and, as this is 
the commencement of the procefs, it does not 
appear improbable that the extraordinary /timu- 
jus, which | is' required to excite the latent 
energy of the germ, ceafes to be of ufe as foon 
as the effect is accomplifhed. For a number of 
experiments, made by that induftrious Philofo- 
pher Dr. Prieftley, prove that plants are capable 
of living and growing in azote. From whence 
it would appear, that a change takes place in 
their nature, at a period fubfequent to the com- 
mencement of vegetation; which fuppofition 
can only reconcile what has been delivered, in 
this and my former paper on the fame fubjed, 
to the doétrine that has been very powerfully 
fupported, by the labors and authority of a: man 
of the higheft reputation in’ the philofophical 
world. The following. article will however 
‘prove, that the infant plant does not undergo 
the alteration laft pointed out, while the — 
lobes fupply it with nutriment.. : 
Exerrtment XIV. On the eighth of Aptil, I 
put twelve peas into azore, confined i in a glafs jar 
inverted in. water. They had’ been previoufly 
permitted 
