* 
r « ~ 
+ 4, : 4 
Miscellanies. * 197 
17. Supplement to the Introduction to the Atomic Theory ; com 
ding a sketch of certain opinions and discoveries bearing upon the general 
principles of Chemical Philosophy ; prefaced by some remarks on the pro- 
jected reforms in academical education. By Cuarurs Davzeny, M. D., 
F.R.S., L.S., G.S., M.R.I. A., Professor of Chemistry and Botany 
in the University of Oxford. | 
This work has many claims to attention. The remarks “on the pro, 
jected reforms in academical education” are appropriate, and are applica- 
cable to academical education in this country as well as in England. Re- 
garded as a brief exposition of the leading doctrines of chemistry, divested 
of their technicalities, and embracing the points of general scientific inte- 
rest, this essay possesses great merit. Those who may desire to obtain a 
knowledge 6f only the general principles of chemical philosophy, will find 
them ably developed in Dr. Daubeny’s sixty two pages. 
MISCELLANIES. 
DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN. 
1. Horticultural Experiments; extracted from a letter from Dr. 
J.T. Piummer.—For some years past I have been experimenting in 
ahorticultural way. I till my garden with my own hands, and take 
great delight in it. It not only furnishes a wholesome exercise, but 
it affords me a much relished mental recreation, in watching the curi- 
ous developments of the vegetable world, its recuperative powers, and 
indeed its pat yoy and physiology generally. Part of the experi- 
ments which I have made are intended to show at what average tem- 
_ perature at noon various seeds will germinate, and how many days 
are requisite for them to vegetate at any given temperature. Thus I 
find that the Lima bean, at a temperature of 88°, (in the shade,) will 
*ppear above ground in seven days; ata temperature of 62°, it re- 
quires twenty days. The marrowfat pea, at 51°, requires nineteen 
days; and at 74°, only eleven days. Radishes vary with the tem- 
perature from six to twelve days. Thus the average temperature of 
any country, other things being equal, may be inferred with consid- 
erable accuracy, from the periods of vegetation; for in looking me 3 
my long list of recorded experiments, I find a great degree of unt- 
formity in the process of germination, in ordinary circumstances. 
After various experiments, I have succeeded in ridding my peas of 
the bug, (Bruchus pisi.) Immediately after gathering the seed, I sub- 
Ject them to the action of boiling water one minute; by this means I 
destroy the little grubs, or larve, which at this time are just below 
the integuments of the pea, without destroying the vitality of the 
