BOTANY. 467 



the auioTiut of arj^'iiiiii Ibuiid was very small. The author believes 

 it to be ill the ehicory root also, although he has not thoroughly 

 identified it. 



Effect of chemical agents on germination, W. Sigmund {Landw, 

 Vers. Stat., 17 [189ii), Xo. J,2>l>. /-.:>'^). — The author reports on a series 

 of experiments conducted to test the ett'ect of certain chemical agents 

 on tlie germination of wheat, rye, barley, peas, and rape seed. About 

 275 solutions of chemically pure agents Avere tested, the seed being 

 soaked for 24 hours in 50 cc. of the solution, and then placed between 

 filter papers to sprout. The maximum strength of solution used was 0.5 

 per cent. For each lot of seed tested a similar quantity was soaked 

 for the same time in distilled water and germinated in the same manner. 



The results of the experiments were tabulated, and the following con- 

 clusions drawn from them : 



(1) Free mineral and organic acids were injurious to all the seeds, 

 although the cereals were able to withstand dilute solutions, 0.1 per 

 cent or less, of free acids. Salts having a strong acid reaction, are 

 poisonous as compared with those having a neutral reaction. 



(2) Free bases are poisonous, as are alkaline salts with strong basic 

 reactions. 



(3) The neutral reacting alkaline salts and alkaline earths were with- 

 out injurious effect upon the cereals; in some cases the germination was 

 accelerated up to the maximum concentration used, while peas and rape 

 were able to withstand strengths of solution up to 0.3 i)er cent only. 

 All the salts were injurious when used stronger than 0.5 per cent. 



(4) Fat and ethereal oils hasten the germination of cereals, but retard 

 that of peas and rape. 



(5) The anaesthetics and carbon dioxid in gaseous form are very 

 injurious. In liquid form they retard germination and check the 

 growth of the plantlet. Peas have relatively a higher resistance to 

 this influence than the other seed tested. 



(6) Alkaloids and the physiologically similar artificial antipyretics, 

 and soporifics weaken and retard germination when used in strengths 

 of 0,1 per cent or more. Toward this class of agents wheat is less 

 susceptible to injury than peas. 



(7) Some of the organic antiseptics were injurious at 0.1 per cent, 

 and all were when a greater strength was used. 



(8) The anilin dyes w^ere poisonous to seed when used in a concen- 

 tration of 0.05 per cent. 



(9) Plants are more resistant to the influence of organic than inorganic 

 poisons. 



Investigations on the effect of these agents upon the germinating 

 plant, upon the soil, and upon the growing seed are to be continued. 



Concerning the activity of fungus-diseased leaves, H. Mijller- 

 Trvrgav {J<(hrc.sh<r. IV/'-s. Sta. Wiideiisiceil, vol. i, pp. ')i-')H ; ahs. in 

 Bot. Centbl., 68 {1896), Ko. 8, p. J266).— The transpiration of the diseased 



