EXPOSED WATER AND FRESHLY FALLEN RAIN 1 77 



In view of the experimental results previously obtained, and indi- 

 cating that chlorophyll-bearing tissues respond to radium rays dif- 

 ferently from tissues without chlorophyll, it is obvious that no con- 

 clusions may be drawn from this experiment as to the effect of the 

 radioactivity of freshly fallen rain-water on green leaves and stems. 

 Quite possibly these parts may be thus stimulated. 



Experiment 54 



The object of this experiment is to ascertain the effect on ger- 

 mination and growth of soaking corn grains {Zea Mays) in freshly 

 fallen rain-water. 



May 26, 6 P. M. 



Five corn grains were placed in an empty, chemically clean 

 beaker, left out in the open all night while it was constantly raining. 

 There had been an almost continuous precipitation during the pre- 

 ceding 36 hrs. As a control, the same number of grains were placed 

 in a covered, chemically clean beaker, in distilled water, placed 

 near the other beaker to secure similar temperature conditions. 



May 30, II : 30 A. M. 



After the grains had soaked for 41 hrs., they were placed in soil 

 moistened with ordinary tap-water. The average height of the 

 seedlings was recorded as follows : (Two of the control seeds proved 

 to be poor, so the growth recorded for the control is the average of 

 only three seeds.) 



Rain Distilled 



June 4. 



25.20 mm. 23.30 mm. 



June 6. 



79.60 mm. 86.60 mm. 



June 7. 



136.60 mm. 142.30 mm. 



June 8. 



161.60 mm. 179.00 mm. 



June 9. 



190.60 mm. 207.60 mm. 



Up to 10 days after planting the exposed seeds grew less rapidly 

 than the control, and on the tenth day they averaged 17 mm. shorter 

 13 



