80 A BILL FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTAL POISONING. 
Ailanthus, which will produce about a pound of silk for every twelve feet, the only ex¬ 
pense being the wear and tear of the protecting net, as the small amount of labour can 
easily be supplied by the cottager’s family.— M. J. B., in the Gardeners' Chronicle. 
MUMMY WHEAT. 
The ‘ Presse Scientifique des Deux Mondes’ contains a description of a series of ex¬ 
periments made in Egypt by Figari-Bey on the wheat found in the ancient sepulchres 
of that country. A long dispute occurred a few years ago, as to what truth there 
might be in the popular belief, according to which this ancient wheat will not only 
germinate after the lapse of three thousand years, but produce ears of extraordinary 
size and beauty. The question was left undecided ; but Figari-Bey’s paper, addressed 
to the Egyptian Institute at Alexandria, contains some facts which appear much in 
favour of a negative solution. One kind of wheat which Figari-Bey employed for his 
experiments had been found in Upper Egypt, at the bottom of a tomb at Medinet- 
Aboo, by M. Schnepp, secretary to the Egyptian Institute. There were two varieties 
of it, both pertaining to those still cultivated in Egypt. The form of the grains had 
not changed ; but their colour, both within and without, had become reddish, as if 
they had been exposed to smoke. The specific weight wa3 also the same, viz. twenty- 
live grains to a gramme. On being ground they yield a good deal of flour, but are 
harder than common wheat, and not very friable; the colour of the flour is some¬ 
what lighter than that of the outer envelope. Its taste is bitter and bituminous ; 
and when thrown into the fire, it emits a slight but pungent smell. On being sown in 
moist ground, under the usual pressure of the atmosphere, and at a temperature of 
25° (Reaumur), the grains became soft, and swelled a little during the first four days; 
on the seventh day their tumefaction became more apparent, with an appearance of 
maceration and decomposition ; and on the ninth day this decomposition was com¬ 
plete. No trace of germination could be discovered during all this time. Figari-Bey 
obtained similar negative results from grains of wheat found in other sepulchres, and 
also on barley proceeding from the same source; so that there is every reason to be¬ 
lieve that the ears hitherto ostensibly obtained from mummy wheat proceed from 
grain accidentally contained in the mould into which the former was sown.*— Vete¬ 
rinarian, May , 1863. 
A BILL FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTAL POISONING. 
( Prepared and brought in by Mr. Pauli, Mr. Sclater-Booth, and Mr. Walter, July 10,1863.) 
Whereas it is expedient to prevent accidental poisoning: be it enacted by the Queen’s 
most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords spiritual and 
temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of 
the same, as follows: 
1. From and after thej^rsf day of November, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, 
no substance of a poisonous nature, or calculated to injure or endanger human health 
or life if taken internally, shall be sold or exposed for sale by retail in any paper or 
other packet, but only in a glass phial or bottle of a hexagonal shape, of which five 
sides shall be fluted, and on the remaining side thereof a label shall be affixed, with the 
word “poison” and directions for use distinctly marked thereon; and every person who 
shall act in contravention of this Act shall for every such offence, on a summary con¬ 
viction for the same before two justices of the peace at petty sessions in England, and 
in Scotland before two justices of the peace in justice of the peace court, or before the 
sheriff substitute of the county, or before justices at petty sessions or a divisional justice 
in Ireland, forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding five />ouuds, together with such costs 
attending such conviction as to the said justices shall seem reasonable ; and if any person 
* These results of Figari-Bey entirely agree with all reliable experiments which have 
been made in this country with wheat grains obtained from mummies.— Ed. Ph. J. 
