132 
GERMINATION OF SEEDS. 
matters connected with the phaenomena of vegetation; for nothing 
tends more effectually to keep the mind in trammels, and prevent 
the progress of true science than ,that species of mental idolatry 
which attaches faith, without due experimental investigation, to cer¬ 
tain received opinions that have been handed down from father to 
son, as facts not to be questioned or doubted. 
It has long been asserted, and sturdily maintained, that seeds will 
not germinate in the light; and men have listened to the assertion 
till they not only believe it, but consider it as founded upon an irre¬ 
fragable law of nature. But what is the fact ? Why simply this, 
that although we may safely admit that, in most instances, seeds, if 
covered to a certain extent with earth, are in a situation wherein 
they are best prepared to germinate, yet there are exceptions to the 
rule, so numerous, so palpable, so well authenticated,—that, he must 
be but a very superficial, or a very prejudiced observer, who could 
hesitate to acknowledge and admit their validity. 
Since I perused the notice in question, I determined to bring the 
matter to issue, by a few simple experiments which could be repeated 
by any one who possesses a hotbed frame, or forcing department of 
any description. 
Upon the surface of the soil in some pots in a hot-house, which 
had been previously levelled and duly wetted, seeds of lucern, winter 
spinach, melons, kidney-beans, peas, and acacias (Robinia) were 
laid. A few days only have elapsed, since these experiments were 
commenced, and the progress of the seeds has been attentively 
watched at every period of the day, and to a very late hour at night. 
The pots stand in a bed of leaves at 85 degrees, but their rims are 
considerably above the surface level. The lucern swelled almost 
immediately; their radicles were protruded very shortly afterwards, 
they each formed a curve, entered the earth, and many green plu¬ 
mules ascended bearing the testa, or husk of the seeds upon the 
summits: one night two small slugs from the leaves were detected, 
their instinct, we may suppose, having led them to the tender plants, 
many of which they had obliterated. Here are two facts which bear 
upon the point of enquiry. The Spinach was soon in action, many 
seeds sent out a radical process, beautifully covered at the points 
with a white down (Spongioles) resembling a mass of cotton-wool. 
The young plants are now standing, some more than half an inch 
high, erect, and in perfect verdure, the long cotyledons widely ex¬ 
panded. Three melon seeds have produced radicles from the more 
pointed end of the seed, which lies flat on the soil. The Robinias 
(seed from a large tree in a shrubbery) have swollen, one even has 
