156 
EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 
Meyen, and that the movements of the animalcules appeared to them analogous 
to those of many Infusoria. 
BOTANY. 
3. Musical Tree. —In the neighbourhood of St. Quentin stood a remarkable 
tree, from whose roots dull sounds were frequently heard to issue. It had excited 
much surprise and alarm among the inhabitants of Nauroy, and the circumjacent 
parishes, but the mystery is now unravelled. The enchanted tree is a very 
strong Beech, at the summit of which two branches crossed each other in such a 
manner, that when the wind blew, a vibration took place, which resounded as 
far as the roots. By order of the Mayor, the axe has destroyed the charm, and 
imparted tranquillity to many a troubled spirit. 
4. Fermentation an Act of Vegetation. —M. Turpin has lately published 
his observations upon certain phenomena, which he considers sufficient to show, 
that the act of fermentation, concerning which chemists have been so much em¬ 
barrassed, is owing to the rapid development of infusorial plants. He states, 
that / all yeast, of whatever description, derives its origin from the separation 
from organic tissue, whether animal or vegetable, of spherical particles of extreme 
minuteness, which particles, after a certain time, rise to the surface of the fluids 
in which they are immersed, and there germinate. Their germination is said to 
be caused by a certain amount of heat, and by contact with atmospheric air. 
The carbonic acid obtained by fermentation is ascribed to the infusorial plants. 
M. Turpin considers the act of adding yeast to liquids, wffien fermentation is 
languid, as equivalent to sowing millions of seeds in a favourable soil. He calls 
the yeast plant of beer Torula cerevisice: he considers each infusion to have its 
peculiar plant, and he names the whole race of such beings Levurians. No doubt 
the yeast of beer consists of minute molecular matter, the particles of which are 
globular; and that those particles produce, from their sides, other particles like 
themselves, which eventually separate from the parent, but we do not know that 
they are therefore plants. 
5. Madura aurantiaca. —The North-American dioecious tree named Madura 
aurantiaca , is now growing in France, both male and female, and flowers in the 
Luxembourg gardens, in the royal establishment at Neuilly, and at Avignon; its 
wood is said to be elastic ; it is beautifully veined, of a deep yellow, a fine grain, 
and takes a beautiful polish. Numerous experiments have proved that its leaves 
are perfect substitutes for those of the Mulberry, for the nourishment of Silk¬ 
worms, making it a desirable object for cultivation, as it does not suffer from the 
severest cold, and flourishes even in a poor soil. The fruits are not edible, but 
the roots yield a fine yellow dye. 
6. New Dye- plant. — In the south of Russia, numerous tufts of Harmala, or 
