SECT. III. CHEMICAL PHENOMENA. 35 



part of their weight. The carbon lost at the same 

 time is only about the one third part of these quanti- 

 ties ; and the oxygene gas consumed is in proportion 

 to the weight of the seeds, not in proportion to their 

 size or number. 



But it has been said that seeds will germinate Experi- 

 even in mediums deprived of oxygene ; and the mediums 

 germination of seeds placed in water, or in the va- J ^y! 

 cuum of an air pump, has been adduced as a proof. S ene - 

 It is plain, however, from the experiments already 

 related, that the germination of the seeds so situated 

 was effected merely in consequence of the uncom- 

 bined oxygene yet remaining in the water, or of 

 the oxygene remaining in the receiver that was not 

 yet completely exhausted. These alleged proofs 

 therefore are of no value. But Huber and Senebier 

 give an account of experiments in which grains are 

 said to have germinated in atmospheres even of 

 pure nitrogene and hydrogene gas.^ Carbonic acid 

 gas was also evolved during the process as in other 

 cases of germination ; and it was asked, whence is 

 the oxygene derived necessary to the formation of 

 the carbonic acid ? Senebier accounts for it upon the 

 principles of the decomposition of the water con- 

 tained in the seed ; which he seems to be extremely 

 anxious to establish. But Saussure, who being Unsuc- 

 somewhat sceptical on the subject was induced to 

 repeat the experiments that had given the above 

 result, or to institute others of a similar nature, has 

 * Senebier, Phys. Veget. vol. ill. p. 338. 

 D '2 



