460 On the Effects (/high Temperature on some Plants. 



ture of the external air ; and the following were the effects 

 produced upon the different species. 



The Melon. Plants of this species were trained upon a 

 trellis near the glass, which was of the best quality, and these 

 exhibited a greater degree of health and luxuriance, than I 

 had ever before seen ; but not a single flower ever unfolded ; 

 a great profusion of minute blossoms, nevertheless, appeared 

 in succession at the points of the shoots, all of which pe- 

 rished abortively. I was much disappointed at the result 

 of this experiment ; from which I confidently expected to 

 obtain fruit of the greatest excellence. 



The Water Melon. A plant of this species, treated in the 

 same manner as the Melon plants above mentioned, grew 

 with equal health and luxuriance, and afforded a most 

 abundant blossom ; but all its flowers were male. This result 

 did not, in any degree, surprise me ; for I had many years 

 previously succeeded, by long continued very low tempera- 

 ture, in making Cucumber plants produce female flowers 

 only ; and I entertain but little doubt, that the same fruit- 

 stalks might be made, in this and the preceding species, to 

 support either male or female flowers, in obedience to exter- 

 nal causes, 



The Guernsey Lily. I transferred plants of this species, 

 from the open air to the hot- house, in the summer, with the 

 hope of obtaining seeds, in which I was wholly disappointed. 

 The flowers expanded very beautifully ; but their pollen 

 never shedded. The plants have, nevertheless, subsequently 

 grown with more than ordinary vigour; and I entertain 

 scarcely any doubt that the same roots which afforded flow- 

 ers in the present season, will blossom strongly in the next. 



