: Miscellanies. 153 
It appears also that nitrate of ammonia, corrosive sublimate, oxa- 
lic acid, and perhaps oxalate of ammonia, evolve vapor at common 
_ temperatures.—Idem. 
= 4, 2 
1, On the functions of vegetable life.—An interesting paper by 
Gusert T. Bornerr, Esq. containing an account of various exper- 
iments on the transpiration, absorption, and living functions of vege- 
tables, is contained in the first number of the Journal of the Royal 
Jnstitution. The author arrives, in general, at the following results : 
Ist. The functions of plants are but relatively distinct: many in- 
stances occur in which they are intimately blended, and in which, 
without much care, organs and functions must be, and have been 
frequently confounded with each other. Organs which have been 
supposed to be exclusively destined to one function, and incapable of 
any other, do under certain circumstances perform the functions of 
other organs, 
_ 2d, Air is essential to the roots of plants: the death of large trees 
in consequence of embankments around them, (as when raised roads 
have been made through groves or plantations,) has been ascribed 
tothe accumulation of earth around the trunk, and attempts have 
®een made to obviate the evil by forming cylinders of brick around 
them, but without effect. Death in these cases is caused by a suffo- 
Cation of the roots. It is well known how favorable the loosening of 
the soil is to the health of trees, as well as of all other plants. 
"8d. Absorption takes place, in most plants, both by their roots and | 
leaves; the first course of the sap is upward, and its passage (at least — 
frequently) is through the non-spiral tubes. 
4th. The chief current of the sap is avial, for it will traverse the 
Whole extent of the trunk before it will enter any of the branches, 
OW hear soever to the root they may be situated, and also when it 
“nters the branches, its course is axial with respect to them. Hence 
the ‘terminal buds are generally the largest and finest, and the first 
" developed, 
ae oth. Several leaves of Potamogeton natans, were wiped quite dry, 
a3 Weighed, the end of the petioles covered with soft wax, and after 
remaining out of water for two hours, they lost from three grains and 
tal to five and one fourth each. Being put into water, after the 
Ph of two hours, they were wiped dry and again weighed. ‘They 
~ Saned from three to five grains each, which, of course, could 
have taken place only by absorption through the cuticle. 
—No. 1. 20 
Von. H. 
