Longevity of Cat Flowers. 249'' 



did not shrivel and droop at all; apparently, if it had not been, 

 for other causes, they would have kept indefinitely, but in every 

 case, after from ten to fourteen daj-s, the specimens Avould become 

 discoloui-ed. Ihis discolouring would commence "svith the {^art of 

 the stalk actually innnersed in lead nitrate, and gradually spread 

 until it affected tlie v/hole stalk, leaves, and, lastly flowers, so that 

 in no case could tlie flowers really be called fresh for more than 

 fourteen days. 



In many cases the articulation between the jiedicels of the capi- 

 tula and the stems become loosened, with the consequence that the 

 capitula fall off very easily, although remaining tjuite fresh. 



It will be seen that the exact effect of the lead nitrate varies with 

 the different sj^ecies; for example, no experiments with Acacia 

 arniata succeeded, and the effect on other markedly xerophytic 

 siDecies, such as juniperina and verticillata, was very slight. A 

 good deal o£ variation is noticeable in the effect of the lead nitrate 

 on different specimens of the same variety. In some experiments 

 the control and the specimens in lead nitrate ha\e lasted for an 

 equally short period, whereas another experiment with the same 

 variety will give a good, result. In all cases where rapid withering 

 has taken place detailed sectioning and examination of the stem 

 shows blocking. There is presumaldy some undetermined factor 

 which controls the extent of the exudation, and the effect which 

 immersion of the stem in lead nitrate will have on this. It is jjos- 

 sible that the length of time intervening between the time that 

 the blossom is picked, and the time that it is placed in the solution 

 will have a considerable influence on its longevity. Accurate ex- 

 periments to determine this point liave not yet been carried out; 

 but it was noticed that in any case where the blossom liad been 

 kept for some time, and had begun to wither, the lead nitrate did 

 not exert a reviving effect, but the specimen would remain in a 

 drooping condition for a long time, whereas the control would com- 

 pletely wither. That is, the lead nitrate does not dissolve block- 

 ing already formed, but prevents any furtlier exudation taking 

 place. Another possible factor influencing the amount of block- 

 ing shown in tlie stem might be tlie age of the wood forming the 

 vessels at the cut part. Ihis point w^as also undetermined. 



Tables to show rhe influence of raryimj strenr/fhs of lead and 

 silver salts on the lonr/e\vifi/ of the blossoms of varying species af 

 Acacias. 



[The number of days quoted under each column indicates the 

 number of days that the specimens remain fresh.] 



