44 On Plants absorbing coloured infusions by their roots, 



Not a tint of colour, red or yellow, nor any difference in appearance 

 could be detected, by myself, or one of my sons, either by the 

 naked eye, or by any mode of microscopic investigation. I then 

 tested the three stems, and the three detached portions, and also, 

 horizontal and transverse slices of each. 



1st. That which had been watered with Brazil infusion, with 

 liquid green sulphate of iron, which I found would instantly con- 

 vert any stain of the infusion on white paper, into a dark bluish 

 grey ; but the plant, or its cuttings afforded no shade of grey, nor 

 change whatever to the test. 



2nd. The iron watered plant and its cuttings, were tested by 

 prussiate of soda ; this, applied to the liquid, gave an immediate 

 precipitate of prussian blue. No sign of change, however, no blue 

 deposit could be perceived in the plant, or its parts. 



3rd. The wounded place of the watered Balsam was then 

 touched with a minute drop of even the sulphate of iron, (which 

 is in no degree so sensitive to a prussiate, as is the oxygenated 

 solution) and now, on applying a pin's point of prussiate of soda, 

 blue became apparent among the wounded vessels. Finally, the 

 amputated part of the water-moistened plant was cut, sliced and 

 tested with sulphate of iron on one, with prussiate of soda on 

 another, and no chemical deposit, no blue, or greyish stain could 

 be traced on either. I have thus proved by a variety of methods 

 and tests, that waterings by liquids and chemical agents produce 

 no evidence of the nature or situation of the sap-vessels in the 

 Balsam. The growth also of the three plants yield further colla- 

 teral proofs, for the young Balsams when first planted in the pots 

 of sandy loam were, though stout and firm not seven inches high. 

 During the course of the moistenings, they all grew well and 

 healthily ; and I perceived no difference in them, unless it were 

 that the plant with muriate of iron, assumed a beaded growth 



