343 



four pair of four-inch plates of copper and zinc to blood, and extracted 

 acid and alkali at the opposite wires. 



A second experiment was made, with similar results, on blood still 

 fluid, in the vein of an animal just killed. 



A third experiment was made upon serum, with 120 plates highly 

 charged, with the same result. 



A fourth experiment was conducted in a similar manner, with 

 12 pair of plates, with similar results. 



In a fifth experiment, 30 pair of plates, very weakly charged, also 

 extracted alkali and acid from serum exposed to them. 



Since powers so weak are capable of separating the constituent 

 parts of blood, it is suggested that the weaker powers existing in 

 animals may produce the same effect, and thus occasion all the dif- 

 ferent secretions, and modify albumen into the states of the different 

 animal solids. 



On the comparative Influence of Mah and Female Parents on their 

 Offspring. By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. F.R.S. In a Letter 

 to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K.B. P.R.S. Read 

 June 22, 1809. [PkU. Trans. 1809, p. 392.] 



During the very extensive series of Mr. Knight's endeavours to 

 improve the varieties of fruit-trees, he has also been occupied in 

 making correspondent experiments on the breeding of animals, and 

 has always paid attention to the strong analogy which universally 

 subsists between plants and animals in most points relating to gene- 

 ration. 



Although the author's experiments have extended to many different 

 species of fruit-trees, yet the greatest number, and those under the 

 most favourable circumstances, were upon apple-trees. But as the 

 results were all in unison, the instances here adduced are from the 

 apple alone. 



Linnaeus conceived the character of the male to predominate in the 

 exterior both of plants and animals : but Mr. Knight's observations 

 have led him to form a different conclusion ; for he remarks, that 

 seedling plants and the young of animals inherit much more of the 

 character of the female. 



Seeds from cultivated apple-trees, impregnated by the Siberian 

 crab, produced larger fruit than those from the crab impregnated 

 by stamina from the cultivated fruit ; but the quality and flavour of 

 the fruit appeared to inherit, in a greater degree, the qualities of the 

 male. 



In consequence of the frequent intermixtures that have taken place 

 in the breeding of domesticated animals, there is often little resem- 

 blance to either parent ; but it is observed, that the dimensions of 

 the offspring are regulated principally by those of the female, and 

 that a corresponding length of legs appears especially necessary for 

 accompanying the parent in flight. But unless the male parent be 

 proportionally strong, the legs of the offspring may be too long in 



