374 Miscellaneous. 



meter. The leaf is of an oblong ovate form, from 5 to 6 feet in 

 length, the under side with elevated spinous ribs, as in Euryale, 

 and of a rich crimson colour. The edges turn up, and form an erect 

 fringe five inches high, making a frame or border around the leaf, and 

 contrasting finely with the green colour of the upper surface. We 

 have to regret, that neither seeds nor roots were brought home. 

 The drawings are proposed to be engraved and published by the Geo- 

 graphical Society. (See our Plate XII.) 



Mr Gray communicated the result of Mr Children's repetition of 

 the experiments made by Mr Cross, for the reproduction of insects 

 from an infusion of silica. Every attention was given that these 

 experiments should be made exactly in the same manner with those 

 performed by Mr Cross, but Mr Children did not succeed in procur- 

 ing the insects from the infusion. Mr Stuchbury of Bristol had made 

 the experiments with the same result, so also had Mr Golding Bird ; 

 and these gentlemen seemed to be of opinion, that the acarus produced 

 by Mr Cross, being a recent species, and one well known as most abun- 

 dant in all situations, had come from eggs present in the distilled wa- 

 ter employed in the experiments, and called into existence by the 

 galvanic influence. The question was, however, left open for fu- 

 ture investigation and experiment. Mr Macleay compared the pro- 

 duction of the insects by Mr Cross under the galvanic influence to 

 the effect of a high temperature upon the germination of seeds ; 

 and compared their vitality to some of the lower animals, which could 

 be revived either after a long series of years, or when apparent 

 life had been completely suspended. Instances were noticed of the 

 germination of grains which had been found in the pyramids, after 

 having lain there upwards of 2000 years, and of the resuscitation of 

 the animals of the genus Vibrio, after having been completely dried. 

 Dr Graham mentioned instances of eggs of insects having preserved 

 their vitality for a long period, and under high temperature, in which 

 Mr Gray agreed, and stated, that the eggs of Acarus lapicida have 

 been kept for two years in a dried state, still retaining their vitality ; 

 and that he had placed larva of one of the musca for three days in 

 prussic acid, which, when removed, produced in due time the perfect 

 insect. The above remarks brought on a discussion, whether circu- 

 lation and respiration were completely suspended during torpidity. Mr 

 Macleay considered that it was so in lower animals, and gave as instan- 

 ces of it the species of Gordius and Filaria, which could be entirely 

 dried and agaiu revived. Mr Gray concurred in these opinions, while 

 Dr Graham seemed in favour of these functions being only partially 

 suspended. 



