No. 1, February, 1921] PHYSIOLOGY 67 



of the physical sciences with that of physiology. He assumes that the organism is not the sum 

 of the functions of its organs, and that it is important to study the reactions of the organism 

 complete. His experiments are intended to be in this direction. While drawing something 

 from botanical material in the historical discussion, the experiments are based largely on 

 animal forms. — B. M. Duggar. 



RADIANT ENERGY RELATIONS 



436. Aston, B. C. Radio-active fertilizers and plant growth. New Zealand Jour. Agric. 

 20: 172-173. 1920. See Bot. Absts. 7, Entry 457. 



437. Blackman, V. H, Radioactivity and normal physiological function. Ann. Botany 

 34: 299-302. 1920. — The writer presents a brief resume of H. Zwaardemaker's researches 

 dealing with the radio-activity of certain substances in relation to physiological function. 

 Though the results here obtained are primarily of fundamental importance to animal physi- 

 ology, their probable application to plant physiology is indicated. — R. W. Webb. 



TOXIC AGENTS 



438. Bertrand, Gabriel. Action de la chloropicrine sur les plantes superieures. [The 

 effect of chloropicrine on the higher plants.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 170:858-860. 

 1920. — Concentrations of chloropicrine of 200 g. or less per cubic meter were tried on trees 

 and shrubs. This concentration was reduced progressively in an attempt to find the minimal 

 effect. Twelve to twenty grams gave the same effect as is found in autumnal coloration and 

 abscission. Two to three grams gave an effect similar to frost or anesthetfcs. * Astill smaller 

 amount caused the leaves to fall off without change of color or alteration in turgescence. It 

 was found that young leaves were less sensitive than herbaceous. It is suggested that chloro- 

 picrine might be found valuable in ridding plants of their leaf parasites. — C. H. and W. K. 

 Farr. 



439. Bertrand, Gabriel. Des conditions qui peuvent modifier I'activite de la chloro- 

 picrine vis-a-vis des plantes superieures. [The conditions which frequently modify the effect 

 of chloropicrine upon the higher plants.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 170: 952-954. 1920. 

 — In this study leafy shoots of eight species of trees were used. Concentrations were tried 

 between from 1 to 200 g. per cubic meter for periods of from 10 to 60 minutes. The effect 

 is about the same, providing the product of time and concentration is the same. Humidity 

 does not seem to alter the effect, nor is temperature a very important factor. — C. H. Farr. 



440. Medes, Grace and J. F. McClendon. The effect of anesthetics on living cells. 

 Proc. Nation. Acad. Sci. [U. S. A.] 6:243-246. 1920.— Certain anesthetics were applied 

 to animal cells (Cassiopea) in sea water and to plant cells (Elodea) in a solution of NaHCOa 

 in distilled water. The effects differed with the organism and the anesthetic employed, and 

 with the particular cell activity or property considered. In the case of Elodea, four anes- 

 thetics — alcohol, ether, chloroform, and chloretone— all increased respiration and permea- 

 bility, but decreased photosynthesis; while they sometimes increased and sometimes decreased 

 protoplasmic rotation. — Howard B. Frost. 



PHYSIOLOGY OF DISEASE 



441. Jodidi, S. L. a mosaic disease of cabbage as revealed by its nitrogen constituents. 

 Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc. 42 : 1883-1893. 1920. — This disease is characterized by denitrifica- 

 tion taking place in the affected tissues. The nitrates are, in part, reduced to ammonia, 

 whichk'is lost; and, in part, to nitrites. The latter reacts on the ammonia group of various 

 organic compounds and brings about the elimination of elementary nitrogen. — /. M. Brannon. 



