BRIEF REMARKS. Il7 



sition and interposition evaporates but slowly in ordinary cases. It, 

 however, struck me that by raising the temperature and diminishing 

 the atmospheric pressure I should probably arrive at a good result. I 

 accordingly made a copper cylinder, half a yard high and two feet in 

 diameter. In tliis vessel I place a packet of papers containing one 

 hundred specimens. I then put about 8 lbs. of lumps of unslaked lime 

 in the spaces between the paper and tlie side of the cylinder, and fix 

 tlie top of the cylinder on. I then put the whole into a small tub, and 

 raise the temperature to about 125 or 130 by means of boiling water 

 poured into tlie tub. The air is then exhausted from the copper 

 cylinder by means of a small air-pump screwed into its lid. I make 

 use of no anemometer, because, at this temperature, as the air is drawn 

 out its [)lace is filled by aqueous vapour, and, besides, in such an ope- 

 ration as this no precision is requisite. The vacuum once made, that 

 is to say, after having pumped at intervals for two or three hours, the 

 apparatus is left to itself for twenty -four or thirty hours; at the end of 

 this time, on opening the apparatus, the plants are found dry, and like 

 tlie specimens 1 have the honour to lay before the Academy. — Gannal 

 in Coiiijjtes Rendus. 



Martynia lutea. — To the lovers of a combination of magnificent 

 foliage and sweet-sceiitetl blossoms, this Martynia will be most accept- 

 able ; witiiout exception it is the noblest annual with which I am 

 acquainted ; and from its robust habit and beautiful leaves of a foot in 

 diameter, supported majestically up^.n a footstalk of a proportionate 

 length and thickness, surmounted by a spike of sweet-scented yellow 

 blossoms, it is well calculated either for a single specimen or a bed, if 

 suitable to the taste of the grower. My plan of raising them is this: 

 early in March I sow the seeds in pots filled with a ligiit soil, and 

 place them in shallow pans of water (in the hothouse), which by con- 

 stantly evaporating softens the leatiiery epidermis of the seed, and 

 enables tiie embryo to perform its functions ; much disappointment 

 will be caused if the pans of water are neglected, as it is almost impos- 

 sible for the embryo to eject its coatings without it; other means have 

 been reported to, such as cutting it through with a knife, which is 

 unuatuial, and should, I think, be avoided. A melon or cucumber- 

 bed will suit admirably to get them up in. When about two inches 

 high they are potted off; grown strong, and hardened by a colder 

 atnio.-phere than tliaf in which they were raised, and eventually planted 

 out the beginniiiii' of IMay. from which time tiiey will form subjects of 

 admiration until Nature has performed her office, and when flowers 

 and leaves cease to exist. The seed-vessel claims an equal share of 

 praise for iis curiosity. If I may use the phrase, it is more like a 

 woodcock's head and beak than an ordinary seed-vessel ; and most 

 beautifully has Nature provided in this instance a powerful lever in 

 the beak, for the ultimate expansion of the seed-vessel. One thing 

 must not be forgotten ; take care to procure seeds from a first source, 

 for if the vital priiici|)le is ever so slightly impaired, your eflorls to 

 make it grow will be futile. — Gardeners' Chronicle. 



