552 Transactions of the American Institute. 



affording an opportunity to make experiments as to the use to which 

 it may be best applied. In conclusion I will call your attention to 

 one of the curious properties of this plant, and that is its cooling 

 influence upon the system while partaking of it after a long and 

 fatiguing walk in the sun, and it has been said, by those who have so 

 experimented, that a certain degree of cold was felt coursing through 

 their frames. 



Now, if it be true that all objects in a room manifest the same 

 degree of heat, is it not strange that this sensation is experienced 

 upon partaking of this fruit ? To test this an experiment was tried 

 with a thermometer, one being placed in a room and another inserted 

 in a chayote, the following being the result obtained : The thermome- 

 ter placed in the room, showed 15° ; that in the chayote, 12^° ; at 

 9 o'clock at night, the first, 14r|° ; the second, 13°. This experiment 

 is, however, in direct contradiction to what naturalists assert, that all 

 bodies in a determinate atmosphere receive an equal degree of heat, 

 and I am convinced by this experiment that the cold manifested by 

 the chayote is not apparent, but real. It presents, also, another curi- 

 ous feature, and that is, that when the fruit is flavored with sugar, in 

 a few days it changes from sweet to sour, while the surface is covered 

 with microscopic plants. Prepared with vinegar, it may present other 

 phenomena. Of what substances is it composed ? 



After concluding his written remarks, Dr. Naphegyi made some 

 interesting statements concerning the jalap root and other plants, and 

 said that he had no interest to serve, no money to make in any way 

 out of this matter, but had an ambition to be the introducer of this 

 plant into this country, and if the Chairman would appoint a commit- 

 tee of such gentlemen as would make careful trial of it, he would 

 present, to each, one or more plants. 



Prof. H. E. Colton — Mr. Chairman, one of the curses of our agri- 

 cultural system, is the too slavish devotion to one or two crops ; a 

 change is healthful to the soil, and also a relief to our eyes. In cli- 

 mates suited to it, this plant may be grown with great benefit, and 

 not in the slightest interfere with any of our ordinary field crops. 

 The introduction of any new thing, especially one which adds to our 

 food sources, is a matter to be encouraged ; hence, I have heard with 

 great pleasure the interesting paper of Dr. ISTaphegyi, and move 

 that thanks of the Club be tendered to him, and that it be requested 

 for publication. 



Mr. Henry Stewart seconded the motion, also Dr. J. Y. C. Smith, 



