On the Assimilation of Nitrogen by Plants. 497 



It is observable that the atom of an element having the num- 

 ber 6 for its atomic heat, is frequently isomorphous with two 

 atoms of an element having the number 3, several instances of 

 which have been specially alluded to. 



LXV. Chemical Notices from Foreign Journals. 



By E. Atkinson, Ph.D. 



[Contiuued from p. 276-] 



FROM a series of experiments, Boussingault* was led to the 

 opinion, in opposition to Ville, that the nitrogen of the 

 atmosphere was never assimilated by plants in their germination. 

 He held that atmospheric air could only furnish traces of am- 

 monia, and that the true source of nitrogen in plants was rather 

 to be sought for in the manures added to the soil, and m the 

 ammonia contained in the water furnished by rain, fog and dew. 

 A Commission appointed by the French Academy to report on 

 the investigations of Ville arrived at different results. The ex- 

 periments were made by Ville, and Chevveult reported on the 

 result. The experiments were conducted in a manner similar to 

 that in which Boussingault's were made. Cress-seeds were sown 

 and allowed to germinate and grow in a soil free from ammonia,^ 

 and placed in an air-tight glass case. The soil was composed o 

 calcined sand, to which the ashes of cress-sccds were added, and 

 it was kept moist by means of distilled water, the quantity of 

 ammonia in which was specially determined. The air m the 

 enclosed space was constantly renewed by means of an aspirator. 

 The air before it passed into the case had 2 per cent, of carbonic 



* Annales ile Chimie et de Physique, vol. xliii. p. l-W. 

 t Comptes Rendus, vol. xli. p. I'JJ- 



