202 Annals of the Philosophical Club 



within a few years, for none were left in 1875. In Rodriguez 

 they were now carefully preserved. There were hopes of 

 introducing them into Fiji, where the climate ought to suit 

 them. They fed on succulent plants. 



Feb. 22nd, 268th meeting. The results of experiments to 

 test the effects of extreme cold on the vitality of seeds were 

 communicated by Dr. Hooker. He had supplied those of 

 peas, celery, mustard and cress to the late Arctic expedition, 1 

 which, after its return, were planted at Kew. The tempera- 

 ture of the ship's interior, where the seeds were ordinarily 

 kept, was not below 30 F. With the peas six experiments 

 were made, when they were submitted to 6oF. for 

 periods varying between five minutes and twelve hours. Of 

 these 65 to 75 per cent, had grown. Other peas were kept 

 on deck till January, during which time the temperature 

 fell to 50 F., and of these 66 per cent, had grown. 

 Parallel experiments were made with the other seeds, twelve 

 in each set, the periods in part of them varying from 

 five minutes to twelve hours, and the temperatures between 

 50 and 60 ; in the rest, from one hour to twelve hours 

 and the temperatures from 25 to 40. The mustard 

 and cress were invariably killed by this exposure ; the celery 

 had not yet germinated. 



In a conversation which followed, Mr. Simon referred to the 

 powerful effect of frozen carbonic acid in destroying living 

 tissue, and thought that the destructive action of the extreme 

 cold might be a direct, not an indirect one. Dr. Debus 

 remarked that water in capillary tubes may be reduced to 

 5 F. before it will freeze. Dr. Hooker referred to the 

 wheat brought by Sir G. Nares from Polaris Bay, where it 

 had been for three years exposed to the cold, yet 70 per cent, 

 of it had grown. A single pea and a single grain of maize 

 found among it also grew. 



Professor Ramsay said that when he, with Mr. James 

 Geikie, visited Gibraltar last autumn, at the request of the 

 Foreign Office, to investigate the water supply for the town 



1 The one under Captain Nares, during which Captain A. H. Markham, 

 with sledges, reached lat. 83 20' N. in 1876. 



