58 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 
leaves of plants and in promoting growth. 2. That an electric center of light 
equal to 1,400 candles placed at a distance of two meters from growing plants 
appeared to be equal in effect to average daylight at this season of the year; but 
that more economical effects can be obtained by more powerful light centers. 3. 
That the carbonic acid and nitrogenous compounds generated in diminutive quan- 
tities in the electric arc produce no sensible deleterious effects upon plants inclosed 
in the same space. 4. That plants do not appear to require a period of rest dur- 
ing the twenty-four hours of the day, but make increased and vigorous progress if 
subjected during daytime to sunlight and during the night to electric light. 5. 
That the radiation of heat from powerful electric’arcs can be made available to 
counteract the effect of night frost, and is likely to promote the setting and ripen- 
ing of fruit in the open air. 6. That while under the influence of electric light 
plants can sustain increased stove heat without collapsing. a circumstance favora- 
ble to forcing by electric light. 7. That the expense of electric horticulture 
depends mainly upon the cost of mechanical energy, and is very moderate where 
natural sources of such energy, such as waterfalls, can be made available. 
Before concluding his observations, Dr. Siemens placed a pot of budding 
tulips in the full brightness of an electric lamp in the meeting-room, and in about 
forty minutes the buds had expanded into full bloom. 
THE SECOND HOWGATE EXPEDITION. 
Captain Howgate’s bill having passed the House, active preparations are being 
made for the start of the expedition, which is fixed for the 15th of May. The 
Gulnare, a steamer of about 200 tons, is lying at Alexandria, Va., being strength- 
ened and thoroughly refitted for the voyage under the experienced direction of 
Captain Chester. It is expected that the vessel will be ready in a fortnight. She 
will start from Washington, fully manned and equipped, with two years’ supplies. 
The members of the expedition number about twenty-five, including a corps of 
scientific observers. Touching at various points on the coasts of Labrador and 
Greenland, the expedition will proceed to the west coast of Smith’s Sound at lati- 
tude 81 degrees and 40 minutes, where the first permanent depot will be made. 
Landing the men and supplies, the vessel will return in the fall. The general 
features of Captain Howgate’s plan of operations are too well known to require 
explanation. He proposes to reach the Pole, if possible, by a system of slow but 
continuous advances, made during several successive seasons, pushing his camps 
farther and farther northward as rapidly as may be found practicable, establishing 
a secure basis of supplies and replacing men, who may become disabled or dis- 
heartened, with fresh recruits each year. Though this necessarily involves a large 
outlay of means and may perhaps cost some sacrifice of life, it will prove in the 
event of success the least expensive and most humane method of accomplishing 
the result. To lay siege to the desired goal in this systematic and persistent man- 
