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428 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. [July from 32 to 34.8 per cent., while the oxygen in the atmosphere is but 21 per cent, as be- fore stated, oxygen being more soluble in water than nitrogen. This dissolved, but not chemically combined oxygen, is essentially necessary for the life of fishes, and of all sub-aqueous animals, and the rain supplies it in part; while subaqueous vegetation, under influence of sunlight, also contributes to furnish oxygen and at the same time, the plant withdraws carbonic acid from the water. After a long season of drought, water in our small lakes and pools, becomes stagnant, as happened a few years since to Cochituate Lake, which supplies Boston with water by the water from the peculiar taste and smell, | which for some months so annoyed our citi- zens, and that the microscopic confervae i gradually diminished in quantities, if it has, not wholly disappeared. The Cyclops cer- tainly is quite abundant, when the water is the sweetest and considered most pure. We wish to discharge these animalculae from any imputation of having tainted the waters of, Cochituate Lake, for we believe that they were not guilty. Pray, reader, excuse this j digression, for this matter was once a subject of animated dispute in this city, and the public generally do not know how the question was finally disposed of. We give our opinion, for what it may be worth, observing at the same time, that for years this subject has been one of frequent researches in j our laboratory; and has also been duly in- vestigated, with the same results, in the sci- j entific school of Cambridge; Prof. Horsford having first noticed the microscopic confervae in the water, and mentioned then in his Report to the water board. The sun's rays have the power of aiding in the formation of organic matters. By their aid the foliage of plants, whether subaerial or sub-aquatic, decompose the carbonic acid gas of the air, or that dissolved in water. Only the lowest orders of vegetable life can grow in darkness, namely, the Fungi, (mushrooms, etc.) which it is well known will grow in the darkness of the catacombs 4 Paris, or in the galleries of mines, where no j I j light enters. The higher orders of vegetable life require sun-light for their growth, and their power of abstracting carbon from this gas is truly wonderful, especially when we know, from chemical experiments, that the most its aqueduct. Then immense quantities of powerful of our electro-positive elements microscopic confervas, of a bright green col- potassium, is required, and that, too, at a or, appeared in the water, and it had then a red heat, to decompose carbonic acid, so as peculiar disagreeable taste and smell, which to set free its carbon while the oxygen com- was compared to that of cucumbers, and by bines with potassium to form potash. Now some to that of fishes, but which really was the plant takes the carbon, and liberates the nothing more than the odor of this micro- oxygen from this gas; two atoms of oxygen scopic plant. It seems that this low order for every atom of carbon which it absorbs. of vegetation is favored by the diminished Dumas says, if we place a branch of a tree, supply of oxygen from rain, and the preva- in full foliage, in a globe, and blow a blast lence of* carbonic acid in the water. Whe- of air over the confined foliage, while the ther the subsequent rains, or the sudden in- sun shines on it, all the carbonic acid will crease of minute Crustacea, Cyclops, Daph-j be taken from the air by the plant, during nea, etc., caused the disappearance of these this momentary contact with the leaves of confervas, we do not know; but it is certain the plant. It is a certain fact of science, that a large increase of these minute crea- and not a mere figure of speech, when we tures suddenly accompanied the clearing of; say, we draw the air into our lungs, and throw it forth unfit for animal respiration; the leaves of the trees catch this foul air and return it to us in and fuel. the form of fruit, flowers Enterprise and Obstacles. No higher eulogy, aside from considerations of a religious nature, can be pronounced upon any man, than that he was one possessed of energy of character commensurate with every undertaking—an ardor vigorous enough to surmount all difficulties, especially such as came inadvertently in his way. That he could sever the gordion knot of difficulty by one masterly blow; and that he was one of those fearless, resolute, and enterprising men, who, when thrown upon the world without friends and without resources, could make his progress through it smooth and triumphant, and could even gather grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles. Under any circumstances, no matter how unfavorable, to rise from an humble station in life to places of eminence and usefulness,
1859.] THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 429 and to retain these places without any par- 1 ticnlarly favorable external circumstance*, but solely by the energy of his own character, and the fertility of his personal resourccs, argue a truly great man. Strength, bravery, dexterity, and unfaltering nerve and resolution, must be the portion and at- tributes of those who pursue their fortune amidst the stormy waves of life. It is a crowning triumph or a disastrous defeat; garlands or chains; a prison or a prize. We need the eloquence of Demosthenes to plead in our behalf—the arrows of Hercu- les to fight upon our side. The severe trials and hardships of life call into exercise the latent faculties of the soul of man. Incentives to virtue and su- periority, they are prepared and predestina- ted for him, to put his manhood to the test, and to inculcate in him strength, hardihood, and valor. Pusillanimous and r eeble without great exertions, he is only what he was designed to be when he makes them; and forms a commendable and heroic resolution not to let life pass away in trifles, but to accomplish something even in spite of obstacles, but more especially if they do not ex- ist. At slight difficulties he will not be dismayed, nor magnify them by weakness and despondency, but boldly meet them and put them to flight. There are cobble-stones in every road, and pebbles in every path. All have cares, disappointments, and stumbling-blocks. Sobs and sighs, groans and regrets avail not. All have need of heart and mind, wit, wisdom, address, management, patience, and perseverance. Besides, most difficulties are mere- ly imaginary. In the Homeric ages virtue and glory were identified, but always implied greatness of soul, great exploits, and great honors. "Twined with the wreath Parnassian laurels yield, Or reaped in iron harvests of the field."' It is indolence and deficiency of spirit which produce torpor and stagnation; for both in the daily difficulties of life, and in the arduous career of moral greatness, dangers and impediments abound, as well as in the perilous triumphs of heroism; but we perceive them not. The contest reveals them, and shows how difficult and onerous is the task of zealous and active goodness of resolute and determined virtue—of patient and consistent fortitude—of useful and laudable exertion and enterprise. Pressing emergencies are to be nut with which demand talents, wealth, power, energy, character— in short, every possible help and advantage to extricate ourselves with honor and success from the straits and difficulties in which we are placed. " lie," says one, "who weakly shrinks from the struggle, who will endure no labor, nor fatigue, can neither fulfil his own vocation, nor contribute aught to the general welfare of mankind. The difficulties of life teach us wisdom, its vanities humility, its calumnies pity, its hopes resignation, its sufferings charity, it« afflictions fortitude, its necessities prudence, its brevity the value of time, and its dangers and uncertainties a constant dependence upon a higher and All-protecting Power. Waverley Magazine. Francis Gillet on Gravel-Wall Houses. Having been often asked my opinion of the concrete or gravel-wall style of building, whether it is equal or superior to other styles, and its relative cost—I take this mode of answering the inquiry, for the informa- tion of all persons, who may feel interested on the subject. 1 am every way pleased with the gravel wall, and think it superior, in all respects, to any other. It is now nearly three years since I built a large square- walled dwelling house of this material, and I have found it to combine every quality desirable in the walls of such a structure. It is permanent, not having settled or cracked. It is warm in winter, and cool in summer. It is entirely free f'om dampness, even in the dampest dog-days, no moisture having at any time been detected on the interior surface, though plastered directly upon the wall, without furring out, as is customary in stone or brick walls. Having formerly occupied a stone house, which was at times damp, though furred out with great care, the contrast in this respect is very noticeable. I>cing thus plastered directly upon the wall it affords no harbor or race course for vermin, to chase up and down at all hours, day and night, more to their own amusement than the entertainment of the helpless occupants with- in. It holds the. stucco perfectly, the stucco, being rough and admirably suited to this style of finish. It is cheap, costing in this vicinity, where gravel and filling-stone are easily obtained, about one-third the price of brick. Indeed,
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