394< Scientific Intelligence. — Zoology. 



had no means of describing the female flower or the seed. After 

 the lapse of twenty years, an enterprising naval commander, who 

 was fond of botany (Captain Owen), happened to be stationed 

 in the Mozambique Channel, and of course had a good deal of 

 intercourse with the natives on the coast. He succeeded in 

 bringing away from the port of Oibo, many cases containing 

 living plants of both sexes. Some of these were taken to Bom- 

 bay, others to the Isle of France, and some to the Seychelles 

 Islands. All the plants left at the Mauritius proved male ; but 

 females appeared among those at the Seychelles, and from thence 

 some female plants were transmitted to the King's garden at the 

 Isle of France ; so that the multiplication of the plant by seed is 

 now certain. Professor Bojer of the Mauritius has sent home 

 drawings and descriptions of both sexes ; and Professor Hooker 

 of Glasgow has just published these in the Botanical Magazine, 

 of which he is the able conductor. A tincture had been made 

 from the roots of plants grown at the Mauritius, according to 

 the formula of the London College : it was found to be stronger, 

 and to have a more grateful and aromatic flavour, than that pro- 

 cured from Apothecaries' Hall. We are happy to add, that 

 living plants have been sent to this country by Mr Telfair of 

 the Isle of France, and have been received both by Mr Barclay 

 of Buryhill and by the Glasgow Botanic Garden. 



15. Nature of Respiration. — My idea is, that the common 

 air inspired enters into the venous blood entire, in a state of 

 dissolution, carrying with it its subtile and etherial part, which 

 in ordinary cases of chemical change is given off"; that it expels 

 from the blood carbonic acid gas and azote ; and that, in the 

 course of the circulation, its etherial part and its ponderable 

 part undergo changes which belong to laws that cannot be con- 

 sidered as chemical, — the etherial part probably producing ani- 

 mal heat and other effects, and the ponderable part contribut- 

 ing to form carbonic acid and other products. The arterial 

 blood is necessary to all the functions of life, and it is no less 

 connected with the irritability of the muscles and the sensibility 

 of the nerves, than -vN'ith the performance of all the secretions. — 

 Sir H. Davy. 



