202 PHYSIOLOGY [Bot. Absts., Vol. VI, 



air there was practically no difference in the dry weights of the plants produced or the amounts 

 of glucose absorbed by the roots of the plants under the different light intensities. With the 

 plants whose tops were allowed to develop in the normal atmosphere, however, the amounts 

 of glucose absorbed per plant were in the proportions of 1-3-4-5 for the four light intensities. 

 The strongest light also produced the most vigorous plants, the dry weights being in the ratio 

 of 2-6-7-11. Although larger amounts of glucose were absorbed by the plants growing in the 

 brighter light, the amount of glucose absorbed per unit dry weight of the entire plant was 

 substantially the same in each case. — R. S. Nanz. 



1359. Coupin, Henri. Sur la production de la chlorophylle par les vegetaux exposes a 

 une lumiere discontinue. [The formation of chlorophyll in plants exposed to a discontinuous 

 light.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 170: 403-405. 1920. — Seedlings raised in darkness were 

 exposed to diffuse light on successive days for a given period each day. The change in color 

 of the leaves was noted. It is found that the time of exposure required to produce chlorophyll 

 differs with the species and also with the part of the plant concerned. Regions which contain 

 a large supply of reserve food, such as cotyledons, turn green with less exposure than those 

 not used for storage of nutritive materials. — C. H. and W. K. Farr. 



TOXIC AGENTS 



1360. Clowes, G. H. A., and L. G. Keith. Correlation of certain physical and chemical 

 factors with toxicity to marine organisms. Jour. Biol. Chem. 41 : xxxvii. 1920. — Symmetrical 

 dichloracetones are more toxic to developing sea urchins and to mice than as3 r mmetrical ones 

 are. The indications are that the symmetrical compounds diffuse more rapidly from a non- 

 aqueous phase to an aqueous phase and hydrolyze more rapidly in a freely alkaline aqueous 

 solution. Death of the cells is probably caused by the products of hydrolysis. — G. B. Rigg. 



1361. Dienert, F. Retard de la floraison cause par un gaz toxique. [Delay in flowering 

 due to gas-poisoning.] Rev. Vitic. 51: 379. 1919. Reprinted in: Rev. Gen. Sci. Pures et 

 Appliquees, 31: 131-132. 1920. — Under the heading "Chronique et Correspondence," is a 

 note on the above, reporting the accidental observation that the growth of a cherry tree in the 

 open was so delayed by chlorine fumes in April that the tree bloomed in September and 

 October and bore ripe fruit late in October. The suggestion is made that the regulated use 

 of poisonous gases might be employed to produce desirable fruits out of season, and at high 

 market price, by delaying the normal course of bloom and fruiting. — G. J. Peirce. 



1362. Gtjerin, P., and Ch. Lormand. Action du chlore et de diverses vapeurs sur les 

 vegetaux. [The effect of chlorine and of other gases upon plants.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. 

 Paris 170: 401-403. 1920. — Most plants are not killed by exposure for two hours to an atmos- 

 phere containing one part in 2000 by weight of chlorine, methyl monochlor chloroformiate, 

 bromacetone, chloropicrine, or mustard gas. The leaves usually change color and drop, but 

 new ones appear after a time and normal growth is resumed. Leaf-fall takes place sooner 

 in treatment with chlorine than with chloropicrine or mustard gas. Microscopic examina- 

 tion showed plasmolysis very soon after exposure to chlorine but only after a considerable 

 time in mustard gas. Potted plants and cuttings of many cultivated species were used. — 

 C. H . and W. K. Fan: 



ELECTRICITY AND MECHANICAL AGENTS 



1363. Darnell-Smith, G. P. The electrolytic treatment of seeds (Wolfryn process) be- 

 fore sowing. Agric. Gaz. New South Wales 31 : 393-395. 1920. — The author reviews an article 

 published in Jour. Ministry for Agric. 26 10 . — L. R. Waldron. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



1364. Koehler, A. E. A new 0.1 N calomel electrode design. Jour. Biol. Chem. 41: 

 619-620. 1920. 



