MEMOIRS OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. 9 



Beta vulgaris attained greater length in light than in darkness. 

 Cotyledons of Mirahilis Jalapa, Brassica, Polygonum^ Pagopyrtim, 

 Cncurbita and Helianlhus did not attain normal size. Fronds of Pterin 

 chrysocarpa grown in darkness were green in color in accordance with 

 results previously attained by DeGandolle. Hypocotyls of Fagofy- 

 rwn, Cticurbita Pefo^ Brassica^ JVapiis, Phascohis miiUiJloriis and 

 Tropacoluni inajiis were excessively elongated in darkness, reaching 

 twenty times the normal length. Scapes of Hyacinthus orientalis, 

 Ttilipa Gesneriana and Iris pumila were greatly elongated in dark- 

 ness, while the scape of Crocus verna remained of average length 

 but showed an exxessive growth of the perianth tube. 



Internodes of Dioscorea Batatas and Bryonia dioica did not 

 increase beyond the average normal length, although such increase 

 was observed in Phaseolus niultijloriis. The short thick stems of 

 beets and cacti did not elongate beyond the normal in darkness, and 

 the diameter of etiolated stems of Phaseolus multi/loriis, Vicia Paba, 

 Dioscorea Batatas and Tropaeohini showed but little variation from 

 the ordinary measurements. The hypocotyl of Cucurbita Pepo^ 

 which is cylindrical in cross section in normal plants, was more or 

 less flattened in etiolated examples. 



Normal torsions were found in etiolated stems of Bryonia and 

 other climbers, and are also exhibited by many species in which such 

 properties are not usually present, such as the hypocotyl of Mirabilis 

 Jalapa, Brassica IVapus, B. oleracea^ Cheiranthus Cheirii, Liniivi 

 grand i/ioriun, Helianthus annutis, scapes of Hyacinthus orientalis, 

 internodes of Vicia Faba, cotyledons of Scorzotiera Hispanica, and 

 leaves of Hyacinthus orientalis. A great diversity of reaction was 

 exhibited by flowers. According to Sachs' results flowers of Tul/pa, 

 Hyacinthus, Iris and Crocus reach an advanced stage of develop- 

 ment in darkness, although the facts adduced are not confirmed by 

 my own observations. Flowers oi Brassica, Tropaeolum, Papavcr, 

 Cucurbita and others might not carry on their entire development in 

 darkness, but if the buds were allowed to reach the stage immediately 

 preliminary to opening or thereabouts, in light, flowers of reduced 

 size, but normal structure, were produced. 



Sachs' investigations upon this subject were continued for about 

 fifteen years, and received some attention during the remainder of 

 his lifetime. In addition to the papers cited other brief notes were 

 published and the entire subject was discussed in his collected works. 



