822 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



BOTANY. 



Transpiration into a saturated atmosphere, H. H. Dixon 

 (Proc. Roy. Irish Acad., 3. ser., 4 (1898), No. 5, pp. 627-635, figs. 2; abs. 

 in Bot. Gaz., 26 (1898), No. 2, p. 149). — The conclusions of the author, 

 drawn from his experiments in saturated atmosphere, are as follows: 

 The elevation of the water of the transpiration current when the leaves 

 are surrounded by a saturated atmosphere is affected by pumping 

 actions proceeding from the living cells of the leaves. Observations 

 based on the drying back of branches furnished with dead leaves ren- 

 der it highly probable that the vital pumping actions of the leaves are 

 partially or wholly responsible for the elevation of water even in an 

 unsaturated atmosphere. These pumping actions are capable of rais- 

 ing water against an external hydrostatic pressure and in common with 

 other vital actions they are accelerated by moderately high tempera- 

 ture and are dependent on the supply of oxygen. The cells adjoining 

 the terminal portions of the water conduits appear to possess this activ- 

 ity, and in plants provided with water glands the pumping actions are 

 not limited to the secreting tissue of these glands. 



On the formation of proteids and the assimilation of nitrates 

 by phaenogams in the absence of light, IJ. Suzuki (Imp. Univ. Col. 

 Agr. [Tokyo] Bui., Vol. 3, No. 5, pp. 488-507). — A number of experiments 

 are reported with barley, Phaseolus multiflorus, and potato plants in 

 which their ability to assimilate nitrogen and form proteid compounds 

 in the dark was tested. The ability of these plants to assimilate 

 nitrates in perfect darkness is affirmed, and it is stated that proteids 

 can be formed from nitrates in perfect darkness when the conditions 

 are favorable — that is, when sugar is present in the plant cells. When 

 the available amount of sugar is insufficient, the reduction of nitrates 

 and their assimilation does not take place. The intermediate product 

 between nitrates and proteids is considered to be asparagin, and when 

 the conditions of protein formation are imperfect this substance accu- 

 mulates. The author concludes by commenting upon the investigations 

 of a number of investigators on this subject. 



The influence of gases and vapors upon the growth of plants, 

 E. P. SANDSTEN (Minnesota Bot. Studies, 2. ser., 1898, No. 1, pp. 53-68). — 

 A report is given upon a series of experiments conducted to test the 

 influence of gases and vapors upon seeds and seedlings, growing 

 shoots, resting bulbs, and upon plants growing in water cultures. The 

 chemical materials used were alcohol, ammonia, carbon bisulphid, chlo- 

 roform, ether, nitrous oxid, and oxygen. The various plants experi- 

 mented upon were seed 6 * and seedlings of maize, Viciafaba, and Phase- 

 olus multiflorus. Dormant bulbs and conns of Arisa3ma, Narcissus, 

 hyacinth, tulips, Freesia, and crocus. In the experiments with gases 

 maize was grown in water cultures containing nutrient solutions. 

 Duplicate experiments and controls were maintained for all the experi- 

 ments and the results are tabulated. 



