REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 85 



absorption bands in the red region of the spectrum. Work on the 

 isolation and separation of these pigments is now in progress. 



In view of the previous finding by Drs. Johnston and Weintraub, 

 using the spectrographic method, that iUumination increases the rate 

 of carbon dioxide production by etiolated barley seedlings, it is of 

 considerable interest to study the influence of radiation on the 

 respiration of other types of plants. For this purpose the Warburg 

 manometric technique seems well adapted, since both oxygen absorp- 

 tion and carbon dioxide evolution can be measured simultaneously. 

 The necessary apparatus is being assembled and preliminary experi- 

 ments to find suitable types of plant material and appropriate cultural 

 conditions are under way. The data in the literature as well as 

 results already obtained in this laboratory indicate that the effects of 

 radiation on respiration may be intimately related to the previous 

 cultural history of the plant. 



PERSONNEL 



Dr. Jack E. Myers, whose National Kesearch Fellowship grant 

 terminated in September, has been appointed assistant professor in 

 the department of zoology and physiology at the University of Texas, 



Mrs. Florence Meier Chase, who has been with the Division for 10 

 years, resigned on September 9. 



On October 1 the services of Dr. E. D. McAlister were transferred 

 to the Carnegie Institution of Washington for the purpose of carrying 

 on war work. 



Leonard Price was appointed junior physical science aid on Feb- 

 ruary 16, 1942. 



Mrs. Phyllis W. Prescott was appointed junior clerk-stenographer 

 on March 24, 1942. 



PUBLICATIONS 



Johnston, Earl S. Demonstration of the effect of radiation on organisms at 

 the Smithsonian Institution. Scientific Monthly, vol. 53 (July), pp. 92-86, 

 1941. 



Weintbaub, Robekt L., and McAlister, Edward D. Developmental physiology 

 of the grass seedling. I. Inhibition of the mesocotyl of Avcna sativa by 

 continuous exposure to light of low intensity. Smithsonian Misc. Coll., vol. 

 101, No. 17, pp. 1-10, 1942. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Earl S. Johnston, Assistant Director. 

 Dr. C. G. Abbot, 



Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. 



