282 Scientific Intelligence. 
which he refers to Chamecyparis, and names C. Boursieri, distinguished 
by its short leaves, very closely imbricated, oval, acuminate leaves, 
furnished with a gland about the middle. 
Decaisne distinguishes from our 7'axodium the Mexican tree, under 
the name of Taxodium Montezuma. As Be 
) 8. Does Sea-water kill Seeds ?—A question which has an important 
bearing upon the actual or possible dispersion of many species over 
fore upon the problem whether the same organic being was created at 
one point, or at several or many widely separated points, on the face of 
the globe. It is commonly believed and stated that seeds—those of 
ter: and so general is the belief, that no one, so far as we know, has 
made the experiment until now, when the distinguished naturalist, Mr. 
Darwin, has shown that seeds of various kinds will germinate promptly 
after prolonged immersion in sea water. The account of his simple 
but well-devised experiments is given in the London Gardeners’ Chron- 
icle for May 26th, 1855. We copy the principal part of it. 
**As I had not the least notion when I began, whether or not the 
seeds would be all killed by a single week’s immersion, | at first too 
only a few, selecting them almost by chance from the different great 
natural families; but [ am now trying a set chosen on philosophical 
principles, by the kindness of Dr. Hooker. 
** The sea-water has been made artificially with salt procured from 
ich h 
“*(1) Seeds of common Cress (Lepidium sativum) have germinated 
well afier 42 days’ immersion ; they give’ out a surprising quantity of 
water, however, several have come up after 30 days’ immersion. (4) 
Lettuce seed has grown well after 42 days; (5) of Onion seed only # 
wore 
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