The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Stir,—Finding that contracts have been entered into for
the removal of the granite blocks with which Piccadilly
and other streets have been paved, and so much complained
of in consequence of their incessant noise, danger to horses,
&c., and the M'Adam system substituted, which is also ex-
posed to such dangers in consequence of the angular stones
getting into the frogs of horses' hoofs, whereby many have
been lamed for life ; the dust and mud inseparable from
that system are also evils desirable to have remedied.
These evils would in my humble opinion be provided
against by laying in the first place what are termed 3-inch
deal ends, in alternate rows between the 3-inch granite
blocks now in use, wood being a non-conductor of sound,
and not dangerous to horses when thus employed.
As regards the M'Adam, I would suggest that if the
small stones were formed into blocks by a bituminous
cement impervious to water, and thus laid as a ready-
made M'Adam, an improvement would be thus effected
far preferable to scattering the loose stones broadcast in
the slovenly manner now practised. In addition to these
advantages a considerable reduction of cost to the rate-
payers in both cases would bo thus occasioned.
I am apprehensive, however, that unless an uniform
system of management by which our streets will bo placed
under a board of control, such as the Board of Works, no
satisfactory remedy can be provided for these evils, and as
this remedy can be easily provided during the present
session, it is to be hoped that such an important subject as
the defective state of our streets, which comes home to
every man's door, will meet with the attention of some of
our and as it is pro bond) publico,
bosubudttedfor the consideration of your
rtheaadt e metropolitan
ri ts. iIl members,
am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Amicrs CIIRIIE.

THE LUMINOSrTY OF PLANTS.—This is found in
many phanerogams and cryptogams. In the latter
it is well known, from
.being found frequently in mine;
where the fungus mycelium is seen spreading its web-like
growth, and diffusing a tranquil light, sufficiently strong
to read by, as some have affirmed. The most beautiful in-
stance of this is found in the mines in Hesse, where the
galleries for supplying air are illumined with this soft
phosphoric light. No example of phosphorescence among
sea-weed has been known, but the delicate little moss
Schistostega osmunclacea isluminous. Among phanerogams,
or ordinary plants, are many examples of phosphorescence.
Several kinds of garden nasturtiums, sun-flowers, French
and African marigolds, yellow lilies, and poppies, have
been seen to emit either sparks or a steady light. By some
it is thought that it is produced when the pollen flies off
and is scattered over the petals, but it is invariably noticed
on warm and tranquil evenings, when there is electricity
in the atmosphere. It is observed that nearly all the
flowers proved to bo phosphoric are of a yellow colour, but
the cause of this has not been ascertained. The leaves of
an American plant, (Enothera macrocapa, have been seen,
during a severe storm of thunder and lightning, to emit
brilliant flashes cf light, and this is, we believe, the_a
only
plant as yet discoveredwithphospboric foliage. M. Martins,
rtl
linous in the
pohof Mspoliorntpea,elliwerh,
ehnasninbobteicdeodn trhaaptert,haepjpueiacers
o
dark, or when heated. But the most remarkablelfun the E
instancetiphorbia
is
on fire, from the light which
rt.hrabit opfsotnhestacteomsmihaont paostoaltdiocermiofttsintrg a
asburbrsiltlhiaonutoiligtlat
th 0M:
barracks were on one occasion
was found to proceed from a cellar full of potatoes. It is a
question whether they were in a state of decomposition,
and if so, it differs slightly from the luminosity of decaying
wood, which is usually caused by the presence of phos-
phoric fungi.—Chambers's Journal.