250 



Transactions of the Canadian Institute. 



[Vol. VII. 



EXPERIMENT TO TEST WATER ABSORPTION BY DETACHED LEAVES 

 BY USING THE BALANCE TO DETERMINE THE INCREASE IN 



AMOUNT. 

 ExPER. Ia. ; Time Absorbing 24 

 Hours. 



ExPER. IIa.; Time Absorbing 

 18 Hours. 



From these experiments there is Httle room for doubt that the 

 leaves had absorbed water, which resulted in a renewal of turgor, to a 

 greater or less extent, and which produced a substantial increase in 

 weight. Before weighing the leaves— upon taking them from the water, 

 — they were dried between sheets of absorbent paper for a couple of 

 minutes, but, as was said before, it was difficult to know just when the 

 surface water was dried off, and in some cases this was evident in the 

 abnormal increase in weight. Experiments with cut branches were 

 arranged in a similar manner, and the results recorded show a condition 

 similar to that recorded in the table given above, but no weighings 

 were made for two reasons, (i) the branches being large and cumber- 

 some could not be weighed with a fine and delicate balance, and if 

 weighed with an ordinary pulp balance, accurate result^ could not be 

 expected ; (2) if turgor be restored wholly or in part, this can easily be 

 recognized by the general appearance, especially so in the case of cut 

 shoots. 



