THE 
HORTICULTURAL REGISTER, 
f » 
July 1st, 1834. 
HORTICULTURE. 
ARTICLE I.—ON CHEMISTRY, 
AS CONNECTED WITH THE DEVELOPEMENT AND GROWTH OF PLANTS. 
By the Author of the Domestic Gardeners’ Manual. 
FOURTH ARTICLE. 
I concluded my last paper at page 154 of the present volume,* 
with a reference to the phenomena of atmospheric pressure; and I 
now resume the subject. 
The air or atmosphere of our globe is an elastic fluid. That it is 
a fluid , no one can well doubt who considers its power of motion : it 
flows and moves in all directions. The elasticity, or property of ex¬ 
pansion possessed by the air, is almost as apparent as its power of 
motion, and that this elastic force is greatly influenced by alterations 
in temperature, may be rendered manifest by the simple experiment 
of presenting a common bladder, which contains a small portion of 
air, to the action of fire in a grate. The air within will gradually 
expand; that is, it’s particles will occupy more space, press against 
each other, and bear upon the loose and flaccid membrane of the 
bladder, in every direction, till they completely distend it. When 
it is in this state; if it be pressed by the hand, it will yield to the 
pressure, but will instantly recover its form on that being removed, 
with a spring, or elastic action; the touch, or propulsion exerted by 
the finger proving the fact, and determining at the same time, the 
* The Reader is requested to correct the following errors of the press, which occurred in 
that paper, commencing page 14.5—viz. Page 14-5, line 17, for “ quoted” read “ quote.” Page 
147, line 13, for “ agrieut . Sects.” read “ Lectures .” Page 147, line 15, insert (;) after the words 
“ I add;” Page 150, line 24, for “acid, producing” alter to “acid—producing” by inserting a 
dash or hyphen between the two words; and omitting the italics. Page 151, line 20, for “azot 
nitrogen,” read “or nitrogen.” Page 153, line 1, for “nor attraction” read “or attraction.” 
Page 153, line 20, for “at their instant re-union,” read “of their &c.” Page 153, line 30, for 
“ Specu’.m” read “ Spiculse.” 
VOL. 111. NO. 37. 
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