

262 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [APRIL 
been soaked for twenty-four hours in water and then left 
for forty-eight hours in the gas obtained from one gram of 
potassium cyanid per cubic foot, a mouse in apparently good 
health was given twelve grains of the corn and thirty-six grains 
of the wheat. The mouse began eating at once and ate the chit 
out of one kernel of corn and began ona second kernel when he 
suddenly became stupid and was unable to walk without stag- 
gering. That the mouse was hungry is evidenced by the fact 
that it began eating as soon as the grain was placed in the cage, 
and from the fact that it had been given but little food on the 
preceding day for the purpose of having it hungry enough to 
begin at once on the grain as soon as it should be removed from 
the gas. Although the mouse lived for several hours, it eventu- 
ally died apparently from the effects of the small amount of 
grain eaten, as it did not eat any more of either kind of grain 
nor would it eat cheese or any other material placed before it. 
In general, it was found that if the mice ate the grain immedi- 
ately after taking it from the gas they became stupid and even- 
tually died from the effects. However, if the grain was allowed 
to remain for a time out of the gas before it was eaten, no ill 
effects seemed to be produced, although the grain did not seem 
to return to its normal condition, as it was never eaten readily 
even after it became perfectly dry. When the mice could be 
induced to eat it, as they were in several instances, it did not 
seem at all injurious. It may be concluded, therefore, that the 
fumigation of dry grains with hydrocyanic acid gas does not in 
any way injure the grain for food purpose. And even if the 
grain is damp it will not be injured for food if it is allowed to 
air for a short time after fumigating before it is prepared for use. 
SUMMARY. 
Dry seeds may be fumigated with the usual strength of 
hydrocyanic acid gas for the length of time required for the 
destruction of animal life without in any degree interfering with 
the germinating power of the seeds. 
Dry seeds may be subjected for several months to the 
