726 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



perception of gravity in plants is a protoplasmic phenomenon is consiaered 

 to be proved by tlie record of the change in the second millimeter of one 

 side of the root tip in the case of V. faba at various angles to the vertical. 

 These changes are said to show the same curve as is shown by animal tissues 

 in response to stimuli. 



Permeability increases in the cortical cells of both the upper and lower 

 sides (but chiefly in those of- the latter) of the root tip when the root is 

 placed at an angle to the vertical. The consequent relatively greater turgid- 

 ity of the cells of the upper side explains the curvature. The increased 

 permeability, giving decreased turgor, on both sides of the root is supposed 

 to explain retardation or elongation of the axis during the period of curvature. 



The translocation of the mineral constituents of the jack bean, G. D. 

 BucKNER {Jour. Amer. Chem. .S'oc, 4I {1919}, No. 2, pp. 282-2S7). — Certain fea- 

 tures of experimentation along the lines pi'eviously indicated with Lima 

 beans (E. S. R., 34, p. 427) having proved somewhat unsatisfaetoi\v, the 

 author found the jack bean {Canavalia ensiformis) more suitable to the pur- 

 pose. He carried out experimental studies on th? material taken from the 

 cotyledons by the young plant during early growth, and on that remaining 

 in the cotyledons after the seedlings had died, apparently from exhaustion. 



It was found that the jack bean retains considerable calcium, magnesium, 

 phosphorus, and silicon in the cotyledons during the growth of the .seedlings 

 in distilled water, large accumulation of these materials occurring in the 

 leaves and a much smaller relative amount in the roots. The largest pro- 

 portion of these translocated elements is found in parts having the greatest 

 surface (therefore being capable of the greatest anabolic activity and 

 evaporation). The considerable proportion remaining in the cotyledons is 

 supposed to indicate the activity of this part of the mineral matter in pro- 

 moting catabolic changes. 



The paraffined paper cups and the method employed have proved very 

 satisfactory for growing seedlings, while successfully excluding entraneous 

 mineral matter. Other experiments in progress are exiiected to throw further 

 light on the physiology of germination and the nutrition of embryos. It is 

 thought that other uses in physiological investigations may be made of de- 

 ductions which may be drawn from the data here pi'esented. 



Studies on anthocyanins: Color variation in anthocyanins, K. and Y. 

 Shibata and }. Kasiwagi {Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 41 {1919), No. 2, pp. 208- 

 220,, figs. 16) — Departing from the custom of using metallic zinc or magnesium 

 and excess of inorganic acid for the reduction of the flavone and the flavonol 

 series, the authors have employed organic acids, and have been able to 

 isolate some of the pigments and to examine their properties. The work 

 and results are discussed in detail. 



The function of wood vessels, E. Giltay {Ztschr. Bot., 10 {1918), No. 12, pp. 

 753-756, fig. 1). — An account is given of the construction and operation of a 

 device which, by internal reflection and resulting concentration of strong 

 light, gives a good view of the end of a plant stem cut a little above the soil. 

 By continually wiping dry the cut surface, it was seen that in the specimen 

 described {Samhucus nigra) the flow was limited to the vessels. 



Mendelism and the cytological mechanism of heredity, Y. Delage and M. 

 Goldsmith {Rev. Sci. [Paris'], 57 {1919), Nos. 4, pp. 97-109; 5, pp. 130-135).— 

 This is an exposition and critique of the Mendelian theory of heredity with its 

 implications. 



Gametogenesis and fecundation in Zea mays as the basis of xenia and 

 heredity in the endosperm, P. Weathekwax {Bui. Torrey Bot. Club, 46 {1919), 



