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Galantlms nivalis L. enables iis to observe phenomena of a diflfe- 

 rent kind in this same respect. With this plant also, the stem termi- 

 nates in a single flower which, however, when it is fully developed 

 and unfolded, hangs on a thin, limp, flower-stalk. This is implanted 

 on the top of the stem, where also two coalescent bracts are found 

 which enveloped the flower-bud before its unfolding. Hence we must 

 here investigate the influence of the terminal organs on the growth 

 of the stem as well as on that of the flower-stalk. 



Concerning the longitudinal growth of the stem, we find that it 

 is completely independent of the presence of the flower. A single 

 example will suffice to show this. The stem was measured from the 

 point where it appears from the bulb to the implantation of the 

 bracts; these latter still surrounded the flower-bud; in a the plant 

 remained undamaged; in A bracts and flower Avere cut awav to 

 the foot. 



On the other hand, tlic growth of the flower-stalk stops as soon 

 as the flower is removed. The influence of the flower on this organ 

 is even so great that already after a couple of days the stalk of 

 cut flowers turns yellow at the top and soon dies from abo^'e down- 

 ward. The measurements show that the ovary plays if not a prepon- 

 derant, yet a considerable part here. So the flower-stalks of flowers 

 which already opened, grew from 28.2.05 to 6.3.05, in two cases 

 from 16 and 14 mm. to 23 and 24 mm. ; a flower of which the 

 perianth was removed, in the same time from 17 to 21 mm., while 

 two flower-stalks without their flowers measuring 20 and 14 mm. 

 had reached 22 and 16 mm. the next day, but aftci- that died off. 

 Cutting the stamens has no great influence on growth; \e{ growth 

 i-emains very small if stamens as well as perianth are removed, so 

 that with Gahntluis the ovary regulates the growth of the flower- 

 stalk to a great extent but not exclusively. On the other hand the 

 flower-stalk remains alive as long as the ovary is still present on 

 its top. 



Exactly the same behaviour is shown by Narcisms Pseudo- 

 Narcis.ms L., where the stem continues growing when the flower 

 is cut, but the (lower-stalk stops growing and dies, if the ovary 

 is wanting. I may add here that for the growth of the stem it 

 makes no difference whether its top is cut above or below the 



