HeXals Absorbed by Plants. Profes
sor P. B. Wilson has show n that plants
take up free silica Irom the soil, in the
torm of diatom shells, winch are de
posited in the stalks of the plants. In
a Dutch technical journal, Dr. De Loos
states that vegetables are capable of
taking up metallic particles from the
soil. Consulted by a family suffering
from lead poisoning, he found that they
resided iu the lieu htoi hood of a place
where the mauutactrre of white lead
had been carried ou some years previ
ou sly, aud they partook of vegetables
grow n on the spot, Dr. De Joos there
upon examined specimens of red Iteet,
endive, and canuts. and tound lead in
all. In a beet weighing 1.4:1 lbs., he
found the equivalent of 015 grain of
metallic lead ; in six carrot, weighing
together 0 6 lbs., he found 2' grains ot
lead. The metal was also present iu
endive; and the ashes of the plants
contained traces of copper, which, he
thinks, existed as an impurity in the
lead.
A Xew Use fur Iron. One of the most
incomprehensible discoveries if it be
true, which is questionable that we
have ever encountered is announced in
a recent French journal by M. M.isnie.
He says that the mere introduction of
ao iron bar, in the box in which barley,
nee, bran, biscuit, and like farinaceous
victuals are stored, is sunn-lent to pre
vent either the ravages of decay or the
attacks of insects. Full details of the
experimental investigation are given.
