No. 129.] 489 



tnown in the highest antiquity, and it was employed as a green 

 uianure. It came original!}" from the warm parts of Europe. 

 It succeeds also in Germany, particularly in the wine districts. 

 It doubtless succeeds in less temperate countries, but it does not 

 ripen its seed so easily. The Lupin (says Burger,) is not only 

 contented with a bad sandy soil, but developes itself with a 

 rapidity and surprising extension ; this gives it great value as a 

 green manure. In hot countries they destroy the germinating 

 power of the seeds by heat, and then place them about the roots 

 of Orange and of Olive trees to restore health and strength. 



The peach and apricots 1800 years ago. — The Secretary 

 stated that in Pompeii and Herculaneun there have been found 

 plenty of the pits of peaches and apricots. 



Freezing of vegetables and animals. — R. L. Pell said that, 

 Hunter says animals must be deprived of life before they can be 

 frozen ; and that plants in a state of actual vegetation, must be 

 deprived of their principle of growth before they can be frozen. 

 He says that every tree and shrub is dead that is frozen, and if 

 the frozen part is thawed it will be found so. We think Mr. 

 Hunter is mistaken, as animals have been found whose bodies 

 were completely and absolutely frozen, yet, on being brought 

 into a warm room and thawed slowly, have returned to life. 

 Reptiles and fish have been frozen without losing their vital prin- 

 ciple. Perch and mullet were recently taken from Lake Cham- 

 plain and frozen till they were solid, when they were placed in 

 cold water and soon uecame active. Numerous species of fish 

 were discovered frozen in the Polar regions by Bell, Pallas and 

 others, which were restored to life on being thawed by them in 

 cold water. Hearne mentions in his travels from Hudson's Bay 

 to the Northern Ocean, that he found frogs so thoroughly frozen 

 that their legs were as brittle as pipe stems, yet they resumed 

 their natural movements when exposed to genial heat; but if 

 permitted to freeze again, after having been thawed, they never 

 recovered. He found spiders and grubs in a similar frozen con- 

 dition, with the same powers ot revivification on exposure to a 

 warm atmosphere. 



