Miscellaneous . 159 



Haencke, P. ceesia, Sm., Agrostis rupestris, All., Carex nigra. All. ; 

 but then, on the 28th of July, 1846 (the temperature of the air in 

 the shade being 48°*9 Fahr., in the sun 52 0, 5 Fahr.), the schistose 

 gravel of the rock in which these plants vegetated indicated a tem- 

 perature of 84°" 2. As a contrast, I will again cite Spitzbergen. 

 This archipelago, whose shores may equally be regarded as touching 

 the limits of eternal snows, occupies no less than 4^° of latitude by 

 12° of longitude, and yet contains no more than 82 Phanerogamia. 



In the Alps, the plants are heated by the soil which bears them 

 more than by the air which surrounds them ; a vivid light favours 

 their respiratory functions ; and even when the temperature descends 

 to the freezing-point during the day, a layer of recent snow preserves 

 them even in summer from the accidental chills which always accom- 

 pany bad weather on high mountains. Equally sensitive to cold and 

 heat, they can only bear temperatures between about 32° and 59° ; 

 constantly moistened by clouds or irrigated by the water flowing 

 from the melting snow, they require the utmost care to make 

 them prosper in the plains ; for the gardener must defend them 

 against the cold of winter and the heats of summer, yet without 

 keeping them from the influence of light. At Spitzbergen, on the 

 contrary, in spite of the perpetual day of summer, the vegetation is 

 poor and scattered, because the rays of the sun, being for the most 

 part absorbed by the great thickness of the atmosphere and the con- 

 tinual fogs, can neither heat nor illuminate this frozen country. — 

 Comptes Rendus, May 16, 1859. 



Note on the Artificial Propagation of Salmon. 

 By A. D. Bartlett. 



The Committee of the Australian Association have been trying a 

 series of experiments with a view of ascertaining the possibility of 

 conveying Salmon to Australia, for the purpose of introducing this 

 noble fish into the rivers of that country. The difficulty is to convey 

 them across the tropics ; and the object of these experiments, which 

 have been carried on in the Crystal Palace under my supervision, has 

 been — 



1. To filter a sufficient quantity of water to supply a running 

 stream for the spawn or young fish. 



2. To ascertain the highest amount of temperature in which they 

 would live. 



3. To discover the best and most economical means of lowering 

 the temperature, that they may be kept alive while passing the 

 tropics. 



In order to accomplish the first object, arrangements were made 

 with the Charcoal Filter Company to fix filters to supply a running 

 stream through long boxes, which were partly filled with gravel and 

 small stones, upon which the Salmon ova were to be placed. 



Mr. Ramsbottom being engaged to obtain the ova, to ensure 

 their being perfectly impregnated, and to deposit them in the breed- 



