524 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol.38 



tion. Further support was afforded to tlie hypothesis that the absence of a 

 component retards translocation of the pliotosyuthate, also to the theory that 

 the rate of photosynthesis is retarded wlien an essential element is lacking. 



While further work is considered necessary, it appears from the data already 

 obtained that photosynthesis is greatly modified by the absence of a given com- 

 ponent in the nutritive solution, the modification being expressed in the retarda- 

 tion of translocation and the reduced power of photosynthesis. 



Studies in the physiolog-y of the fungi. — V, The growth of certain fungi 

 in plant decoctions, B. M. Duggak, J. W. Se\'ery, and H. Schiiitz (Ann. Mis- 

 souri Dot. G(ird., Jf (1917), No. 3, pp. 279-288, figs. 5). — A continuation is re- 

 ported of the work previously noted (E. S. R., 37, p. 728), the same methods 

 being employed. Only two fungi were used. AspergiUus nigcr being taken as a 

 representative of saprophytic and Glwosporium {GlomereUa) gossypii of para- 

 sitic fungi. Besides the decoctions previously used, namely, bean, sugar beet, 

 prune, potato, turnip, and corn meal, decoctions of apple, mangold (mangel- 

 wurzel), celei'y, carrot, and salmon were employed. The lesults, as regards 

 growth of these fungi, are exhibited in both tabular and graphical form. 



The influence of different values of the hydrogen ion concentration (Ph) in 

 different decoctions is indicated. As in the earlier experiments, the values of 

 Pjj in solutions in which Aspergillus has grown are shifted toward the acid 

 side, those in which Glceosporium has grown in the opposite direction. 



The formation of structures resembling organic growths by means of 

 electrolytic local action in metals, and the general physiological significance 

 and control of this type of action, 11. S. Lillie {Biol. Bui., 33 {1917), No. 3, 

 pp. 135-186, fig. 1). — The data herein presented and discussed raise the ques- 

 tion whether in organic growth the essential structural condition is not the 

 presence of semipermeable and hence electrically polarized partitions separat- 

 ing the living substance from its medium, and at which processes of electrolysis 

 may take place. If this is so, it is thought that the prevalence of the cellular 

 type of organization would be largely accounted for. 



The similarity between the phenomena described in this paper and many of 

 the most characteristic peculiarities of the organic growth process are consid- 

 ered as too detailed not to signify an identity in some essential underlying 

 condition. 



A comparison of mitochondria in plant and animal cells, N. H. Cowdky 

 (Biol. Bnl. Mar. Biol. Lab. Woods Hole, 33 {1917), No. 3, pp. 196-228, figs. 26).— 

 The author, having worked on the problem of the relationship of plant and 

 animal mitochondria as deduced from observations on these elements in radicles 

 of the pea and in the aciu-us cells of the pancreas of the mouse, states that the 

 degree of similarity in animal and plant life is very remarkable. Their reac- 

 tions to fixatives, stains, and supravital dyes are almost ideuticjil, their dis- 

 tribution almost universal, and their morphology identical in plants and 

 animals. It is thought that their chemical composition may be the same in 

 both cases, although direct chemical analysis is obviously impracticable. 

 Although their physiology is obscure, their wide occurrence in protoplasm may 

 mean, it is thought, that in addition to certain specific functions, such as the 

 production of chlorophyll, they all have a common duty or part in some such 

 fundamental vital activity as protoplasmic respiration. 



[Galactosidase |3 in the vegetable kingdom], Mougne {Jour. Pharm. et 

 Chim., 7. ser., 15 {1917), No. 11, pp. 339-345 ) .—The author tested a number of 

 stone or seed fruits (plum, peach, apricot, cherry, apple, cherry laurel), cruci- 

 fers (Cochlearia armoracia, Sinapis alba, and S. nigra), Aucuha japonica, and 

 the fungus Aspergillus niger. Nearly all of these gave a decided reaction 



