JO REPORTS ON INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECTS. 



Structural Alterations Induced in a Mountain Strawberry (Fragaria ovalis) 

 in Desert and Coastal Habitats, by B. M. Kupfer. 



Fragaria ovalis, from 7,000 to 8,000 feet in the Santa Catalina Mountains 

 of central Arizona, has been propagated at the Desert Laboratory and at the 

 Coastal Laboratory at Carmel, California, for three years. Considerable 

 variation from the typical habit has been recognized, and some of these fea- 

 tures have been noted in previous reports. Dr. Kupfer has begun a detailed 

 study of the structure and composition of plants grown under the entire 

 range of conditions and has detected some striking alterations in stomatal 

 characters and in chemical composition of membranes. 



Pollination through Decapitated Pistils, by B. M. Kupfer. 



Dr. Kupfer continued some work designed to ascertain the office of the 

 stigma in pollination of seed-plants at the Coastal Laboratory during July 

 and August 1912, and some possible results in fertilization through decapi- 

 tated stigmas were obtained. 



Alterations Induced by Ovarial Treatments of Plants, by D. T. MacDougal. 



A general resume of the results obtained in the cultivation of a series of 

 generations of forms derived by ovarial treatment of plants was published 

 in 191 1. The continuation of this work involves continued attention to a 

 number of slowly maturing species and no new treatments have been made 

 within the year, as facilities for cultivation have not yet permitted the sowing 

 of all the seeds from treated ovaries obtained early in 191 1. 



Bvolution of the Chrysomelid Beetles, by W . L. Tower. 



The Livingston atmometer having been found to be a very delicate and 

 reliable indicator of the integration of environmental factors, some attention 

 has been devoted to perfecting a form of this instrument with a globular cup 

 which would give more perfect exposures. Methods of standardization have 

 also been improved. 



The set of cultures as reported in last year's statement has been continued, 

 is progressing unusually well, and gives promise of further valuable data. 

 Of especial interest is the continued manifestation of the mutation phe- 

 nomena shown in some of the cultures, showing that a mutating stem-stock 

 can be produced as a result of hybrid synthesis and that this remains stable 

 or can be broken up in a mutating fashion, depending upon the environ- 

 mental complex in which it is placed, or upon unusual incident factors. 

 These results at Tucson have contributed largely to the formation of a new 

 hypothesis of mutation, published in outline during the present year (chapter 

 vii, Heredity and Eugenics, University of Chicago Press, 1912). It is be- 

 lieved that this method of producing mutating strains is of fundamental 

 theoretical significance and may be of much practical importance. 



