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476 The Exhalation of Ozone by Flowering Plants. [May, 
= Upon this point Professor Kedzie observes: “I call ozone the 
most energetic of the constituents of the atmosphere. Its pres- 
ence or absence must have a controlling influence over the vital 
powers. And when we consider that this material is present in 
such variable amount in a medium which enfolds us every mo- 
ment of our lives, and where action ‘ pauses not for matin or for 
vesper, at noon of day or noon of night,’ it seems to me that no 
one can deny that its influence on human health must be most 
significant.” 
Professor Max von Pettenkofer says of the hygienic value of 
ozone in the air: “It is the constant purifier of the atmosphere — 
from all organic matter which passes into it and might accumu — 
late. The air would have been long ago filled with the vapors of | 
decomposition if it were not for ozone, which oxydizes all thats 
oxydizable, if only time be allowed for it and too much is not 
expected at once.’ 
How long it would be possible for animal life to exist were all 
the atmospheric ozone to,be suddenly annihilated, cannot be 
computed ; but that existence would sooner or later become 1m- 
possible on account of noxious substances which would accumu 
late in the air, and which it is the office of the ozone to destroy, 
cannot be reasonably doubted. How infinitely wise and benef 
cent, then, is the Author of nature in placing beside these destroy 
ing elements the means of reparation. And as flowering plants 
serve as natural ozone generators, they must be looked upon # 
worthy of being placed in the front rank as hygienic agents. 
Perhaps the most interesting phase of this question !S the a 
plication of the results of our observations to the benene! “6 
of the cultivation of plants in dwellings. As already incide 
mentioned, ozone is not detectable in living rooms for the 
dimensions of the one employed, give us a : pe a l 
not be doubted that a living room well stocked w! pce its 
plants would give off sufficient to be of hygienic pet vant is 
well known that we rarely or never find but a smal ious 
the external air, which yet serves to maintain it 1n @ with | 
condition. The air of dwellings is very generally © { 
1 Popular Scicnce Monthly, Feb., 1878. | 
