130 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.35 



The stimulation of protoplasmic streaming by rays of different sorts, 

 Helene Nothmann-Zuckekkandl (Ber. Deut. Bot. Gesell., SS (1915), No. 6, pp. 

 SOISIS, figs. 2).— It has been found that visible ultraviolet and ultra-red rays 

 cause in the plasma of leaf cells of Elodea streaming movements, the activity 

 of which increases with the wave length. While the establishment of a tem- 

 perature gradient by local warming in case of a single leaf caused streaming 

 movements, the warming of the whole shoot by immersion in water had no 

 influence in this connection. 



The pigments of fruits in relation to some genetic experiments on Capsi- 

 cum annuum, W. R. G. Atkins and G. O. Sheebaed (Sci, Proc. Roy. Dublin Soc, 

 n. ser., 14 {1915), No. 25, pp. 328-555).— Presenting results of a preliminary 

 nature from a study of the genetics of fruits of C. annuum, the authors state 

 that in these fruits red is dominant to yellow and appears to be a simple domi- 

 nant to chocolate and orange. Differences in the shades of green in unripe fruits 

 are ascribed to variations in the numbers of chromatophores contained in each 

 cell. The colors of ripe fruits are due to red, chocolate, orange, and yellow 

 plastid pigments. Red and chocolate have not been shown to be due to a mix- 

 ture of pigments. Some red fruits contain water-soluble yellow pigment in 

 small quantities. 



Red and chocolate pigments, when pure, are oily liquids which have not been 

 obtained in a crystalline condition. This property, with their ready solubility 

 in cold alcohol and petroleum ether, distinguishes them from lycopin, carotin, 

 and xanthophyll, the solutions becoming colorless when allowed to evaporate in 

 sunlight. Carotin is moderately soluble in cold pyridin and yields crystals from 

 this solvent similar to those from ethereal solution. 



Peroxidase in Capsicum fruits diminishes as they ripen and bears apparently 

 no simple relation to variety. The enzyra is frequently present only in the 

 epidermis, while the deeper tissues may contain an inhibitor with a strong 

 reducing action. 



The origin and transformations of anthocyanin products, F. Moreau (Bui. 

 Soc. Bot. France, 61 (1914), No. 7-9, pp. 59M05).— Referring to the view ex- 

 pressed in an earlier communication (E. S. R., 33. p. .523), that mitochondria 

 take part in the formation of anthocyanin both in flowers and in vegetative 

 organs, the author states that his later studies appear to indicate that the con- 

 clusions formerly announced should be considered as subject to modification by 

 the results of investigation of more abundant material under more favorable 

 conditions. 



It is now held that anthocyanin in floral or vegetative parts may be of mito- 

 chondrial origin. On the other hand, in numerous cases the anthocyanin ap- 

 pears not to have been formed wholly in the chondriosomes or the anthocyanin 

 corrmscles, but to have been preceded by the formation of colorless products 

 which become colored more or less slowly. The colored anthocyanin products 

 may themselves be transformed into colorless products. It is considered proper, 

 therefore, to rank along with the red, violet, and blue pigments now designated 

 as anthocyanlns the colorless compounds which are inseparable from them for 

 purposes of study and which are always found in the cells as earlier or later 

 products, being closely related to them as regards chemical composition and as 

 having in common with them a mitochondrial origin. 



Oxidases and their inhibitors in plant tissues.— IV, The flowers of Iris, 

 W. K. G. Atkins (Svi. Proc. Roy. Dublin Soc, n. ser., I4 (1915), No. 24, pp. 

 3i7-527).— In this work the list of Iris flowers previously employed for a studv 

 of peroxi,lase reactions (K. S. R., 31, p. 626) has been extended greatly and 

 much of the previous work has been repeated with a view to finding out how 



