60 REPORT — 1841. 



Wexford and two on the North coast. I lost no time in examining into the 

 authenticity of these, and I state to you the result merely, without troubling 

 you Avith the detail of evidence — there were in reality no earthquakes, the 

 effects of sudden squalls were mistaken for those of earthquakes. I did not 

 personally collect the evidence, but by letter from a great many most intelli- 

 gent, accurate and trustworthy persons, on whom I fully depend. 



You are already in possession of the evidence furnished by Mr. Patterson 

 respecting the Innishowen earthquake, about two yeai's ago. It occurred in 

 a district composed of granite and slate rocks, and I have no doubt of there 

 having been a movement of the ground such as was described. 



I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, J. Bryce, Jun. 



Report of the Committee for making Experiments on the Preservation 

 of Vegetative Powers in Seeds. 



In order to carry out the objects of this Committee, it was deemed advi- 

 sable to draw up a series of suggestions for experiments, and to give them an 

 extensive circulation. The annexed document has accordingly been printed, 

 at a cost of 1/. 14s., and will be distributed at the present meeting. 



The Committee has yet effected but little in the way of direct experi- 

 ment. An application was made to the Trustees of the British Museum for 

 permission to make experiments on various seeds obtained from the Egyptian 

 catacombs. The Trustees have liberally granted permission to their officers 

 to select such seeds as could be spared for the purpose. Dr. Daubeny has 

 also made a selection of seeds from the old herbaria at Oxford. The speci- 

 mens thus obtained have been submitted to experiment, and the results will 

 be reported as soon as a sufficient number of data are collected to lead to any 

 general conclusions. 



To provide for the expenses incidental to these experiments, the Committee 

 recommend that the grant of 10/. made last year should be renewed. 



H. E. Strickland, Secretary to the Committee. 



Suggestions for Experiments on the Conservation of Vegetative Powers in 

 Seeds. — These Experiments are intended to determine the following ques- 

 tions : — - 



1. What is the longest period during which the seeds of anj^ plant under 

 any circumstances can retain their vegetative powers ? 



2. What is the extent of this period in each of the natural orders, genera 

 and species of plants ? and how far is it a distinctive character of such 

 groups ? 



3. How far is the extent of this period dependent on the apparent charac- 

 ters of the seed; such as size, hardness of covering, hardness of internal sub- 

 stance, oiliness, mucilage, &c. ? 



4. What are the circumstances of situation, temperature, dryness, seclusion 

 from the atmosphere, &c. most favourable to the preservation of seeds ? 



To answer these questions satisfactorily will require the accumulation of a 

 large mass of facts ; and although there are many difficulties in the way of 

 such an investigation, and many years may elapse before it can be brought 

 to maturity, yet it is desirable that the British Association should commence 

 the collection of materials for the purpose. It is jsroposed then to invite 

 botanists and others to undertake the following series of experiments, and to 

 communicate the results to the British Association. 



These experiments are either Retrospective or Prospective. 



