i88 5 .] 
Powers of Mummy Wheat. 
607 
improbable in the fa ft of ancient seeds germinating, but vet 
Candnfl 8 lT eSS1 ° n t0 , a d ° ubt ’ SUch as the above - A. de 
CandoHe,^ too says that “ the thing is not impossible, for 
from tb a th a , etter ? reserved that they are protected 
Horn the air and from the variations of temperature or 
humidity, and certainly these conditions are fulfilled by the 
/h?P// lan ^ 0I l? ments ’-’ but he also says that “ as a matter of 
tact the attempts at raising wheat from these ancient seeds have 
^ bee n successfutr and, further, that “ no grain taken from an 
ancient Egyptian sarcophagus, and sown by horticulturists has 
ever been known to germinate.” Dr. F. W. Pavy,f the analyst 
says: I see no reason that mummy wheat should not 
gt ow, as seeds if kept dry undergo no change. If wheat can 
be kept for twenty years with its capacity under exposure to 
le re 5 ulslte conditions— warmth, air, and moisture — for 
assummg a state of aftive life, that is, passing from dormant 
to active vitality, there is no reason that it may not be kept 
tor 100 years ; and if for 100 years, no reason that it may 
not be kept for 1000 years, and upwards. Everything 
depends upon the conditions under which the grain of wheat 
is kept— whether antagonistic to change taking place in it 
or not; but adds Dr. Pavy, “/ do not know of any specific 
instance to refer to.” The opinion of a gentleman occupying 
Dr. Pavy s position is entitled to respeft, but it will be seen 
that the conclusions of the learned author and analyst are 
based upon theory, and that he has no ascertained fafts to 
support his contention. Thus far, it would seem, 1st, that 
the best known cases of the supposed growth of ancient 
seeds of wheat have a considerable amount of suspicion 
attached to them; and 2nd, that those who assert that the 
seeds of wheat are capable of retaining their vitality for an 
almost indefinite period, when preserved under certain con- 
ditions, are unable to quote an authenticated instance of 
germination. 
As against these conjectures I will quote the opinions of 
our modern authors and scientists. 
Mr. Villiers Stuart, M.P., an old traveller in Egypt, and 
author of “ Nile Gleanings,” writes thus — “ With regard 
to the passage about Egyptian Wheat, I beg to say there is 
no such thing in existence as mummy wheat that will grow. 
The vases full of mummy wheat which are sometimes found 
with mummies are invariably carbonised from age. The 
samples represented as having vegetated are due to the 
* Origin of Cultivated Plants, 
f Letter to the writer, January 18, 1884. 
J Letter to the writer, 
