THE AUTI10Il*S EXPEEIMENTS. 155 



hotrytis infestans on the latter. Why then 

 may not more general remedies be revealed by 

 experiments and inquiry, if conducted with 

 patience and skill ? 



In order to verify the statementsbyDutrochet^ 

 the author was induced to try a few experiments 

 on a similar plan, in the spring of 1846. The 

 results were sufficient to manifest that many 

 curious, if not useful, facts would reward the 

 patient investigator. His proceedings conse- 

 quences shall now be stated. 



He first tried the white of an egg in distilled 

 water, and though he kept it where it was damp 

 and dark for many weeks, not a vestige of any 

 mouldiness appeared. The albumen, as he had 

 been taught to expect, yielded neither hotrytis 

 nor beaded mould. 



He next filled a small gallipot about half full 

 with the same mixture, and added one drop of 

 pure nitric acid. In the course of eight or ten 

 days the surface was mouldy. On submitting 

 this matter to the microscope it was per- 

 ceived to be a mass of monilia, or articulated 

 mould. 



Oxide of lead was added to a similar 

 galHpot, into which he poured a teaspoonful 

 of the same nitric acid. No mould whatever 



