92 



REPRODUCTION OF PLANTS. 



Hordein ... 55 12 



100 100 



This shows that the insoluble principle, hordein, 

 is, in the process of germination, converted into 

 the soluble and nutritive principles, starch, gum, 

 and sugar. We are therefore at present left in 

 considerable doubt; we can only suppose that 

 the luminous solar rays act, as indeed we find 

 them to do on many of the argentine prepara- 

 tions, in preventing those chemical changes 

 which depend upon the absorption of oxygen. 

 A like interference has been observed by Sir 

 John Herschell to be exerted by the red rays of 

 the spectrum ; and from the manner in which 

 germination is impeded in the seeds covered by 

 deep red media, we may trace a somewhat similar 

 influence." * 



All Mr. Hunt's experiments prove " that the 



* " Researches on Light," p. 192. 



