By Mr. Robert Fortune. 



521 



discernible, and if they had not been counteracted by painting over 

 the wood, many of the valuable plants in that establishment would 

 no doubt have been destroyed. In fact after the lapse of several 

 years they are still obliged to paint frequently to prevent any bad 

 effects. 



From these experiments it seems that we may safely arrive 

 at the following conclusions. 1st. That the vapours which arise 

 from mercury in a warm and moist atmosphere are very injurious 

 to the health of the plant with which they come in contact. 2nd. 

 That muriatic acid has probably a contrary effect, because plants 

 which were placed under the same circumstances otherwise were 

 destroyed in mercurial vapour, while in the atmosphere of muriatic 

 acid they grew with great luxuriance. 3rd. That corrosive subli- 

 mate mixed with moistened sawdust produces exactly the same 

 bad effects as shavings of Kyanized wood, provided they are 

 placed in the circumstances above described ; that is to say in a 

 warm and moist atmosphere. 



VOL. II. 2nd series. 



