332 EXPERIMENT STATION BECORD. [Vol.35 



plants can easily take up sub&tances in solution, either by means of their leaf 

 surfaces or through cut ends of branches, the latter method entailing compara- 

 tively slight injury. While some plants are said to resist for a longer time 

 seasonal or abnormal tendencies under the influence of absorbed solutes, it is 

 thought that no very important alterations of the general condition of the 

 plants can be produced in this way at the present time. It is believed, how- 

 ever, that these methods may be employed in the study of some important agri- 

 cultural problems. 



Albuminous bodies in cells as ergastic substances, A. Meyer {Ber. Deut. 

 Bot. Gesell, 33 {1915), No. 7, pp. 373-379). — This is a preliminary discussion 

 of the author's conception of dissolved or ultramicroscopic substances or bodies 

 as a reserve at the disposal of the working portions of the cells. 



The physiolog'ical theory of chlorophyll, E. G. Pringsheim {Ber. Deut. Bot. 

 Gesell, 33 {1915), lYo. 7. pp. 379-385). — This is largely a discussion of the 

 contributions by Iwanowski (E. S. R., 33, p. 824) on a physiological theory of 

 chlorophyll. 



Artificial hastening by pressure of water absorption by seeds, H. de Vbies 

 {Biol. Centbl., 35 {1915), No. 4, pp. 161-176) .—On account of the slow and par- 

 tial germination of the seeds in testing for mutation, involving the danger of 

 loss of possible forms, the author attempted to overcome the difficulty by sub- 

 jecting the seeds to pressures of from 6 to 8 atmospheres for 2 or 3 days. 



It was found that the rate of germination was largely increased, approaching, 

 or in some cases reaching, 100 per cent. It is thought that the effect of pres- 

 sure is to force the water into the interstices from which it is ordinarily 

 excluded by air .spaces or bubbles. 



The action of hydrogen ions and some anions on the germinative period of 

 Avena sativa, F. Plate {Atti R. Aecad. Lineci, Rend. CI. Set. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 

 5. ser., 23 {1914), H, No. 5, pp. i66-i7i).— Reporting studies related to those 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 33, p. 727), and testing the influences of common 

 acids on the growth of A. sativa. the author states that both cations and anions 

 exert influences which are chemically and biologically distinct. The hydrogen 

 ion is localized and exerts its influence mainly in the roots, and the anion is 

 localized and exerts its influence in the region of the growing points. 



Studies on the influence of the chlorids on the germinative period of 

 Avena sativa, F. Plate {Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 

 5. ser., 23 {19W, II, No. 6, pp. 23^-238) .—In continuance of the studies reported 

 above, but employing chlorids in solutions of different strengths, the author 

 details the effects thereby produced on growth. An arrangement is made of 

 alkaline nitrates and chlorids in two series according to their observed effects 

 on the total weiglit of the plant, growth of root, growth of shoot, correlation of 

 development, and atomic weights of the positive elements employed. 



It is stated that the kind of anion present has a certain influence upon the 

 action of the cation employed when the action of the latter is not toxic to the 

 plant. If the cation is decidedly toxic, this toxicity is maintained whatever 

 anion may be employed. 



Hydrocyanic acid formation in the germination of seeds. III, IV, G. 

 Ravenna {Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 23 

 {191J,), II, No. 6, pp. 222-226; 7, pp. 302-306).— In pursuance of reports on 

 studies carried out in connection with others (E. S. R., 24, p. .534; 27, p. 132), 

 the author gives an account of the methods employed and the results obtained 

 In a study of hydrocyanic acid in germinating seeds of Phaseolus Innatns. An 

 augmentation of that component was noted in the early period of germination, 

 but this was followed by a diminution. 



