Afterwards I tried some larger fruits, capsules, etc.

, and some of these floated for a long time.

It is well known what a difference there is in the buoyancy of green and seasoned timber; and it occurred to me that floods would often wash into the sea dried plants or branches with seed-capsules or fruit attached to them.

Hence I was led to dry the stems and branches of ninety-four plants with ripe fruit, and to place them on sea-water.