65 



effect of causino- cloulilins:^ of the numl)er of chromosomes, thus 

 resulting- in \\hat arc called tetraploid varieties. The Boston Fern 

 grou]:i of variant forms or " s]3orts " holds unusual jiossibilitics for 

 this line of ex])erimentation, both because of their known extra- 

 ordinary cai)acity for vegetative variation, and because i)ositivc 

 results with colchicine may lie expected to lead to the formation 

 of spore-fertile tyi:ies from varieties which now can be rejiroduced 

 only from runners. 



The preliminary experiments carried on during 1938, botli at 

 the Botanic Garden, and at Brooklyn College, seem already to have 

 shown positive results. During 1939, the writer ho])es to be able 

 to com]:)lete one or two extensive series of colchicine tests as a 

 basis for publication. If possible, arrangements will be made for 

 a leave of absence from college teaching during the latter half of 

 the year, for this ])urpose, both in the investigation of the effect 

 of colchicine on ferns in general, and in the further study of the 

 behavior of any new varieties which may result. A ]Drogram of 

 research in the fundamentals of variation and hereditv lasting 

 }-ears is here indicated. 



Economic Plants 

 By Ralph H. Citkney 



1. As a \)'AXi of the general investigation of the taxonomy and 

 flavor qualities of beverage ])]ants, a collection of herbarium speci- 

 mens was made of the sjiecies and varieties of the Mints which are 

 grown and used in eastern Massachusetts. Photographs were 

 made of the living plants. 



2. A study of the microstructural changes caused by the plant 

 purine, caffeine, w^as made during the summer at the IMarine 

 Biological Laboratory, AVoods Hole, Massachusetts. 



3. The variation in the blood sugar in man was determined 

 after the consumption of caffeine per se and of the coffee beverage. 



