80 
Equal quantities of Garden cresses (Lepidium sativum) were thrown 
into the water, mixed with the oxygenated muriatic acid . 
These exhibited their germs very rapidly in the oxygenated water, even 
in three hours, 
EXPERIMENT IV. 
Whereas those in common water , under the same circumstances, did not 
take place until the end of twenty -mx hours. 
EXPERIMENTS V...VIIL 
The same result arose in comparative experiments with Peas (Pimm 
oativum), French Beans (Pliaoeolu vulgar io), Garden Lettuce (Lac-* 
tuca oativa ), and Mignonette (Reoeda odorata.) 
EXPERIMENT IX. 
The philosophic mind generally pushes forward every new discovery, 
and we find Humboldt in the same year endeavouring to cause to germi¬ 
nate the Clusia rosea (Rode Cludia ), the seeds of which had been brought 
from the Bahama Islands by Boose, and which before had resisted every 
attempt to make them vegetate. ' 
for this purpose he employed a new process, which promises hereafter 
to be a great acquisition for the raising of foreign seeds of difficult growth. 
He formed a paste, by covering the seeds with the black oxyd of Man¬ 
ganese, and then sprinkled over them the muriatic acid diluted in water. * 
Ihe temperature was Q5° of Fahrenheit. 
Tim theoiy of this process is as follows— Ihe oxygen in the black oxyd of 
Manganese, quits the metallic body, to unite with the muriatic acid, to which 
it has a greater affinity, and in consequence it becomes highly oxygenated 
muriatic acid . 
* proportion used were six measures of water to 
one of the muriatic acid. 
