BOTANY. 113 



In general, the author states, his experiments show that anaesthetics 

 increase the respiration not only in etiolated but in green plants. 

 Incidentally, the effect of anesthetics on chlorophj^l was investigated, 

 and it was found that a 5 per cent solution of alcohol checked the 

 chlorophyll production and growth of the wheat germ. The dimiim- 

 tion in the respiration in the case of the plantlets Avas in proportion 

 to their growth. 



Experiments on floral colors, P. Q. Keegan {Nature^ 61 {1899)^ 

 Ho. 1570, PI'- ^^^■> 106). — The author conducted a series of experi- 

 ments to determine the true color of anthocyan — that is, the blue and 

 red pigment of flowers. The opinions of Berzelius and Wiesner are 

 stated, in which diametrically opposite conclusions are given. 



The author observed the effect produced by immersion of fresh 

 petals of a number of flowers into ether saturated with ammonia. 

 The petals of the peony, pink, campion, deep-red rose, sweet pea, 

 vetch, mallow, balsam, geranium, fuchsia, scarlet rhododendron, 

 crimson flax, and blue centaurea became blue; of the red daisy, peri- 

 winkle, and lady's smock, bluish green; while the petals of anemone, 

 larkspur, violet, willow herb, scarlet Tropteolum, red rhododendron, 

 flowering currant, scabious, wild thyme, potato, and forget-me-not 

 became green. 



Later the coloring matter was withdrawn from the petals by macer- 

 ating them for 2 days in methyl alcohol, after which the solution was 

 drawn off, evaporated to dryness, the residue dissolved in warm water, 

 and after filtering was tested with hydrochloric acid, ammonia, lead 

 acetate, and magnesium acetate, the color reaction in each case being 

 given. 



The author's conclusion is that there are different stages in the 

 development of floral pigments. In the lower stages the natural color 

 is red, whatever the chromogen maj^ be. In the higher stages the 

 natural color of the anthocyan is blue, or is capable of forming blue 

 compounds with alkalis and certain metallic salts. 



On the presence of vanadium, molybdenum, and chromium in plants, E. 



Demarcay {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 130 {1900), No. 2, pp. 91, 92; abs. in Rev. 

 Sri. [Paris'], 4. ser., IS {1900), No. 3, p. 88). 



On the presence of dextrose and levulose in the leaves of beets, L. Lindet 

 {Ann. Agron., 26 {1900), No. 2, pp. 103-113). 



On the composition of the leaves of the plane tree from the standpoint of 

 nutritive material and on the migration of this material during- growth and 

 after the death of the leaves, G. M. Tucker and B. Tollexs {Ber. Deut. Chem. 

 GeselL, 32 {1899), pp. 25-75; abs. in Bid. Soc. Chim. Paris, 3. ser., 24 {1900), No. 10, 

 J). 480). 



On the modifications which oil of lavender undergoes during the grow^th 

 of the plant, E. Chakabot {Bid. Soc. Chim. Paris, 3. ser., 23 {1900), No. 5, jip. 

 183-189). 



Behavior of leguminous tubercles in water culture, F. Nobbe and L. Hiltner 

 {Landxo. Vers. Stat., 52 {1899), Nos. 5-6, pp. 455-465). — In experiments with seed- 

 lings of Robinia pseudacacia grown in water cultures, the root tubercles functioned 



