ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 535 



Hence in certain circumstances dew is injurious to the plant. "When 

 plants are withering, change in position of the leaves brings their 

 under surface under the direct influence of rain, which is of advantage 

 to them. 



Flowers which have been moistened do not usually wither more 

 rapidly than those that have been kept dry ; in consequence of 

 secondary influences, they may even remain fresh longer. 



Fatty Acids in Plants.* — E. Schmidt and H. Eomer find that the 

 oil in the nucellus and testa of the seeds of Cocculus consists almost 

 entirely of free stearic acid, with small quantities of other fatty acids 

 rich in carbon. The menispermin of commerce, obtained also from 

 the seeds of cocculus, is also nearly pure stearic acid. Nutmeg-butter 

 contains also from 3 to 4 per cent, of free myristic acid, and a smaller 

 quantity of other fatty acids. When dried bay-berries are digested 

 in hot alcohol, distilled, and the oily residue washed with hot water, 

 the presence of a considerable quantity of free fatty acid can be proved, 

 consisting probably partly of palmitic acid. 



Influence of Mineral Substances on Germination. f — In a series 

 of experiments on the influence of mineral substances on germin- 

 ation, which influence is proved by the significant increase of the ash- 

 contents of all seedlings, P. P. Deherain and E. Breal, and after- 

 wards J. Boehm, have further esamined the important part lime 

 exercises on germination. Lentils, grains of corn, and beans were 

 soaked in distilled water or in spring water, and then left to ger- 

 minate or develope in distilled water or in several solutions of salt. 

 The development of the separate portions of the plant and their 

 ash contents were examined, and the results gained in separate experi- 

 ments are as follows : — 



1. In the first stages of their development the young plants absorb 

 a considerable portion of mineral substances. 



2. They even absorb, in considerable quantity, mineral substances 

 that exercise no favourable influence on their development. 



3. Of all the mineral substances applied lime exercises the most 

 advantageous influence. Indeed seeds which develope very badly in 

 distilled water, when allowed to germinate in spring water, develope 

 normally at the ordinary temperature. The favourable influence 

 of the lime-salts is especially remarkable in the development of the 

 roots. 



4. The form in which the lime is present is not by any means 

 immaterial ; it exercises a much more favourable influence when 

 united with ulmic acid than with nitric acid, as if the ulmic acid 

 tended directly to the nourishment of the young plants. 



5. At the same time it cannot be asserted that the addition of 

 foreign lime is necessary for the development of the young plant ; for 

 when seeds are placed in distilled water at a temperature from 30^^ 



* Arch. d. Pharm., xxi, (1883) pp. 34-8. See Bot. Centraibl., xiv. (1883) 

 p. 8. 



t Ann. Agronomiques, ix. (1883) pp. 58-77. Cf. Naturforscher, xvi. (1883; 

 p. 156. 



