ON A FALLACIOUS OBSERVATION. 
423 
but most important ones, that they are acted upon by the rays of 
light, and at the same time, decompose and fix a portion of those 
rays, and liberate free electricity, by which, chemical action is ex¬ 
cited in the manuring substances, sap prepared, and then attracted 
into the vessels of supply. Hence, that light is to vegetables, as well 
as to the whole creation, the stimulus of the living principle. Its 
operation during the day,—particularly in bright sunshine,—may 
be chiefly that of maturation, though I have lately seen facts which 
satisfy me that growth and extension, prevail most in high tempera¬ 
tures, during the day, provided great moisture be supplied. Torpor 
succeeds to activity, the night is a period of rest and silence, the plant 
becomes refreshed, and prepared to meet and second the stimulating 
influences of the succeeding day. Thus all is harmony, perpetual 
routine, verdure, and maturity ; and all are dependant upon the one 
great principle— Light. 
July 14 tliy 1834. 
ARTICLE II. 
ON A FALLACIOUS OBSERVATION, RESPECTING THE 
GERMINATION OF SEEDS.—By W. 
I was much surprised last week, to meet with the following ex¬ 
tract in a newspaper, taken from Loudon’s Encyclopedia of Gar¬ 
dening. 
Germination of seeds _ “ Seeds will not germinate in the light, 
because light decomposes the carbonic acid gas, expels the oxygen, 
and fixes the carbon, thus hardening all parts of the seed, and pre¬ 
venting vegetation.* * * * * 
The conditions which are necessary for the germination of seeds, are 
heat, moisture, and darkness. * * * 
I turned to the page, on the germination of seeds in our own 
copy (the fourth edition) of the Encyclopedia of Gardening, and find 
the above passage to be worded thus: 
“ The seed sown, must be defended from the action of the rays of 
light. This has no doubt been long known to be a necessary condi¬ 
tion of germination, if we regard the practice of the harrowing or rak¬ 
ing in of the grains or seeds, sown by the farmer or gardener, as be¬ 
ing founded upon it.— Ency. of Gar. Page 158, 4 th edition. 
I repeat, that I was surprised to meet with such a passage, as either 
the one or the other of the above, in a work professing, or which ought 
to profess to teach the art of gardening upon the most scientific prin¬ 
ciples. The glaring incorrectness of the assertion, struck me imme¬ 
diately ; and I wondered that the indefatigable compiler of that ia- 
