\ 
Oct. es 1885 | 
NATURE 
607 
and the tendency to retain this energy in the form of 
derived compounds in which the carbon is proportionately 
accumulated. 
Let us consider this endowment of energy of plants 
from a point of view more nearly that of the subject of 
these remarks—viz. the formation of the seed in an annual. 
We take it that every cell is impressed with the striving, 
so to speak, to bring about this result. In regard to the 
energy necessary, again we may conceive a storing up in 
the earlier processes of elaboration, together with a con- 
tinuous supply from the external world. Supposing, now, 
the organic existence of the plant arrested by cutting 
during the period of inflorescence ; the one supply is cut 
off, but what becomes of the other, the intrinsic energy 
and tendency of the organised matter in this direction ? 
Analogy leads us to conclude that it flows on, expending 
itself on an unattainable end, until it fails from failure of 
the co-operative supply. 
Now if this account of the relationship of the matter 
and energy of plants is generally true, we think they 
demand first consideration at the hands of investigators 
of ensilage. Mr. Fry attributes the rise of temperature 
in the silo to ‘intercellular oxidation.” We think the 
term a good one, as it points to intrinsic oxygen ex- 
changes. But we gather from the context that the oxyda- 
tion referred to is at the expense of atmospheric oxygen. 
We think this qualification weakens the value of the term 
in diverting attention to a cause inadequate to produce 
the result. How much oxygen is contained or is supplied 
to the silo? Supposing it completely burned to carbonic 
anhydride and all the resulting heat effective in raising 
100 times its weight of water 30° C. in temperature, is this 
sufficient on the most favourable calculation to raise the 
whole mass to 60°70" C., the temperature which usually 
obtains? Why does the temperature continue to rise for 
some weeks after the crop has been ensiled, when from 
all causes the supply of oxygen must continually di- 
minish? Apart from these considerations the conditions 
of the matter in the pit are surely unfavourable to oxida- 
tion by atmospheric oxygen, chiefly in the impediments 
to gaseous circulation and the absence of light. As we 
wish to confine ourselves to suggestions and to avoid 
statements of opinion, we do not hazard any conclusions 
on this point, but we ask for a comparison of the con- 
siderations drawn from the study of the intrinsic energy 
of plants with those from their relationships to the 
external world, in regard to this first phenomenon of the 
silo. 
In regard to Mr. Fry’s theory of “intercellular fer- 
mentation,” we again think the term conveys a wider 
truth than his exposition. As an agriculturist he recog- 
nises two main kinds of ensilage products—sweet and 
sour—and we have already alluded to his account of their 
production. 
Now, on what does this terminology turn, in as far as 
it is correlated with the chemical composition of the silage ? 
Upon quantities of certain constituents which are a small 
fraction of the whole. It is, on the other hand, an axiom 
with the chemist, in his study of reactions, not to be led 
away by issues which are obviously subordinate. From 
a number of considerations which follow directly from the 
previous discussion, the cellulose fabric of the plant 
studied comparatively with the changes which it under- 
goes in the silo, is best calculated to throw light on the 
general nature and tendency of these changes. These 
changes involve a commerce of molecules, if we may use 
the expression, of which the appearance of small quanti- 
ties more or less of particular acids or other compounds 
are minor results. We prefer the term “ intercellular 
commerce” as less specialised than “ fermentation” ; and 
and in so far as the problems involved are essentially 
chemical, we think a study of the matter changes from 
this point of view in the order pointed out by relative 
quantity and permanence of relationship to the plant 
structure, is better calculated to elucidate the nature of 
these transformations. 
In regard to sour ensilage, and the view of it as result- 
ing from bacterial fermentation, we have little to say. 
The study of the life of such organisms under the very 
peculiar circumstances of the silo has been thus far very 
slender. From the later researches of Nageli and others, 
which have considerably modified the theory of anzerobic 
fermentation as propounded by Pasteur, we are inclined 
to attach less weight to this probable factor of the changes 
in the silo than Mr. Fry. 
Generally speaking, and as he admits, the whole 
subject needs a very exhaustive investigation, and as we 
would point out, on the widest basis, and altogether 
independently of its special bearings upon agriculture 
The scientific method must be followed, even though in 
particular experiments the silage were rendered unfit for 
food. The factors of the result must be caused to vary 
artificially that their influence may be severally measured. 
The silo may be heated in any suitable way, the organic 
matter may be sterilised as regards parasitic germs, sub- 
stances may be added to modify the reactions, and many 
other and similar self-suggestive means employed to test 
particular issues. In conclusion we revert to our original 
text, and we congratulate Mr. Fry on having laboured 
well in a good cause. Asan agriculturist he has exceeded 
in his investigations what was to be expected ; but in his 
endeavour to give a scientific account of the silo simul- 
taneously with the agricultural, we think he has disposed 
of the complications of the subject by repressing their 
consideration. It is to the somewhat thankless task of 
reproducing certain of these that we have addressed our- 
selves, with the view, as already stated, of aiding to keep 
the subject in its true perspective. 
NOTES 
THoMAs Davipson, LL.D., F.R.S., of Muirhouse, Mid- 
lothian, died, from an attack of lung disease, at West Brighton, 
on the 16th inst., in his sixty-ninth year. Dr. Davidson, who 
was so well known in the scientific world, more especially for 
his work on the ‘‘ Fossil Brachiopoda,” was a Fellow of the 
Royal, the Geological, and many other learned Societies, foreign 
as well as British. In 1851 he began his description of the 
‘* British Fossil Brachiopoda,” which has been published from 
year to year by the Paleontological Society, the concluding sup- 
plements having appeared in the last volume of that Society in 
December 1884. Numerous memoirs on similar subjects have 
been published in the 77azsactéons of several scientific Societies. 
Recently Dr. Davidson prepared a ‘‘ Report on the Brachiopoda 
dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the Years 1873-76.” At 
the time of his death he was engaged upon a further monograph 
on recent Brachiopoda, the first part of which is now appearing 
in the Zyamsactions of the Linnean Society. Dr. Davidson 
latterly resided at Brighton, and notwithstanding his other scien- 
tific avocations he devoted a considerable portion of his time to 
the perfecting of the town museum, 
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND’s invitation to Prof. Agassiz to 
assume the direction of the United States Coast Survey has 
been hailed in America as an assurance that the new adminis™ 
tration will encourage scientific work, and is not indifferent to 
survey, but is desirous of placing it under a head whese name 
and character would be a guarantee of success. The health of 
the Professor precluded his acceptance of the post ; but beyond 
this he is of opinion that the guidance of the Coast Survey re- 
quires an expert. The problems to be decided, the methods to 
be employed, the men to be engaged, should, he thinks, be 
determined by one who knows the business. Any other person 
would be in danger of failure. In concluding an article on the 
subject Szience says :—‘‘ The correspondence of Secretary Man- 
