328 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



activity, and isotlaebaine only when in a resting state. It is held that in this 

 case the alkaloid may have some definite biological function. 



Formation of carbohydrates in plants, H. Fincke {Ztschr. Untersuch. Nahr. 

 u. Genussintl., 27 (I'JlJf), No. 1-3, pp. 8-21; abs. in Jour. Vlwm. Soc. [London], 

 106 (1914), No. 618, I, p. Jf66). — Di^^cussing the views of several investigators, 

 the author concludes that no intermediate products but only the end results 

 of carbon dioxid assimilation are really known at present ; that in the process 

 of assimilation, reduction of carbon dioxid is probably accompanied by the 

 formation of a chain containing two carbon atoms; and that glycolaldehyde is 

 [)robably the chief intermediate product rather than formaldehyde, sugars and 

 other vegetable products being formed therefrom. 



The synthesis of sugar by radium emanations, J. Stokxasa, J. Seboe and 

 V. Zdobnicky (Compt. Rend. Acad. 8ci. [Paris], 156 {1913), No. 8, pp. 646- 

 648). — This is a continuation of work previously noted (E. S. R., 25, p. 125) and 

 deals with the synthesis of sugars from carbon dioxid and nascent hydrogen 

 in the presence of potassium carbonate. Formaldehyde (polymerized) in 

 the presence of potassium carbonate results in the formation of reducing sugars. 

 A hexose and pentoses were positively noted. Ketoses were looked for but not 

 found. One hundred parts of organic substance was found to contain 51.05 

 parts of reducing substances. From the standpoint of physiology the radium 

 rays resembled very much the ultraviolet rays. 



Influence of current electricity on absorption of nutritive substances by 

 plants, D. Chouchak {Compt. Rend. Acad. 8ci. [Paris], 158 {1914), No. 25, 

 pp. 1907-1910). — The author has followed up work previously done (E. S. R., 29, 

 p. 732) by a study of the possible influence of weak electrical currents passed 

 through living, as compared with those in dead, plantlets of wheat in nutritive 

 solutions of known composition. 



The results, which are detailed, are held to indicate that while as already 

 shown (E. S. R., 27, p. 826), the rapidity of utilization of solutes is closely 

 related to their concentration, another factor, the electrical conditions in the 

 roots, may be largely influential in absorption of nutritive ions. Control of 

 this latter factor may create new possibilities as regards the productiveness of 

 cultivated plants. 



Physiological studies on lactescence and caoutchouc, F. Tobleb {Jahrb. 

 Wiss. Bot. [Pringsheim], 54 {1914), No. 2, pp. 265-307, figs. 6).— Results of 

 these studies as given in some detail are claimed to show close relations between 

 the quality and quantity of sap flow in case of Mauihot, Mascarenhasia, etc., 

 and the conditions and stages of growth, as humidity, illumination, nutritive 

 materials at hand, ages of shoots, leaves, etc. Claims of protective influence 

 by these secretions of the plant against snails were not supported. 



The controlling influence of carbon dioxid in the maturation, dormancy, 

 and germination of seeds, II, F. Kidd {Proc. Roy. Soc. [London], Ser. B, 87 

 {1914), No. B 599, pp. 609-625). — Reporting on a continuation of previous 

 investigations (E. S. R., 31, p. 521), the author states that the inhibitory value 

 of given partial pressures of carbon dioxid increases with a lowering of the 

 temperature and oxygen supply, but decreases as these are heightened, and he 

 points out the possible bearing of these relations upon the dormancy of moist 

 seeds in natural conditions. 



Arrested development of maturing seeds still on the plant is claimed not to 

 be due to lack of moisture or any physiological insuSiciency. Such seeds con- 

 tain more carbon dioxid than do seeds at the time of normal germination. The 

 testa retards germination in seeds tested before normal drying, as well as after 

 drying and storing. Correlation is noted between the viviparous habit and the 

 absence of seed coats. 



