132 On Astro-atmospherical Science, 



Fig. 9. A piece of the root where the seeds cross it to gain the 

 alburnum vessel. 



Fig. 10. hh the voung shoot growing out of the seed. 



Fig. 1 1 . Manner in which each separate seed grows in the glass 

 when they are thrown on it. This perhaps makes one of 

 the most beautiful specimens imaginable, and is varied in 

 each different plant. In cutting the root of the chickwced 

 in October, I flung the seeds out of the root on the glass. 

 This is not so easily done as in a bulb; but with the help of 

 a diminutive bit of the interior I siuceeded, and a more beau- 

 tiful picture of the sort of the stem which proceeded from 

 each seed is impossible to express ; even the very bulb of 

 the stem was visible, (see fig. I, 2) from each of which pro- 

 ceeded a quantity of most diminutive leaves, with the usual 

 bladder or flower. I am particularly careful when I men- 

 tion the flower, to show that it is merely a little bubble 



with a mark within it, as thus, p O or the pistil and 



corolla alone. • 



XXXI. On Asiro-atmosphericul Science. By the Reu 



T. DnUMMOND. 



To Mr. TilWh. 



Sir, — • J- HE truth of astro-atmospherical science is not deter- 

 minable by plausibility of argument, — the only test by which its 

 foundation in Nature or its baseless fabric in visionary hypothepis 

 can be ascertained, is that of experience. By advocating thirs 

 subject, I do not intend to throw down the gauntlet in defence 

 of all that astrologers, ancient or modern, may have advanced ; 

 and I consider vour admission of my papers as no proof of yow: 

 coincidence in opinion, but as a laudable proof of your liberality 

 in the invcstit;ation of a doctrine which was maintained in an- 

 cient time, has still numerous advocates in Eastern countries, 

 and which, ij true, will again in a series of revolutions be ge- 

 nerally admittpd. 



In our modern works on the sciences no traces of the elements 

 of a study of sidereal influences are retained; the subject is men- 

 tioned as a chimerical hypothesis; and it requires a hardihood of 

 daring, or a persuasion of the truth, to advocate what so many 

 wits are ready to ridicule, and so many learned men are forward 

 to speak of in terms oi contempt, reproach, and reprodation. 



I could supply your pages with a multitude of plausible ob- 

 jections to this science : but that is not my province in this cor- 

 respondence ; 



