THE SLEEPOF SEEDS.
Professor Do Gandolle, of Geneva, has recently brought together many interesting facts about the latent life of seeds, and their ability to withstand very low temperatures. After recalling instances in which seeds have sprouted after lying apparently dead for hundreds of years—in one case 1500 —he gives the result of experiments on subjecting seeds to a freezing cold. Corn, oats, ■ fennel, and some flower seeds were exposed during 118 days to a temperat lire of 400 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. Afterwards, when placed in suitable surroundings, says (iced Words, nearly all of the fenhel, oat and corn seeds, and 'many of the others, germinated. Ho concludes that the protoplasm, or ;'hc principle of life, in a resting seed, is in .i state of inaction not comparable to that of a smouldering fire, bui rather like that of a chemical mixuire which is capable of forming n. combination whenever the required conditions cf temperature and illumination aro present."
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7251, 9 August 1907, Page 4
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160THE SLEEPOF SEEDS. Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7251, 9 August 1907, Page 4
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