THE INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND POTASSIUM NITRATES 

 UPON THE TOXICITY OF CERTAIN HEARTY I.:ETALS 

 TOWARD FUNGUS SPORES. 



Numerous instances have been recorded of the in- 

 fluence of salts on the toxicity exerted by substances 

 upon organisms. This antagonistic action, as it is fre- 

 quently called, of a salt upon a toxic substance, is of 

 considerable importance in influencing the behavior of or- 

 ganisms in a given environment, or indeed in determining 

 whether or not they may exist at all in certain environ- 

 ments. For example, Loewi has shown that the toxic effect 

 on Spirogyra of a 1 percent, solution of magnesium nitrate 

 is inhibited by the presence in the medium of a C.3 per- 

 cent, solution of calcitun nitrate, while Loeb^ has demon- 

 strated that the addition of a small quantity of calcium 

 to an C.625m solution of NaCl inhibits the toxic effect 



of the NaCl on the developement of Fundulus * eggs. Oster- 



3 

 hout has shown that a physiologically balance.: solution 



1. Loew, C, Ueber die physiologic ishan Functionen der 

 Calcium- und I.!agnesium-salze im Pf lanzenorganismus. Flora 

 75:368-394, 1892. 



2. Loeb, J., Ueber den Sinfluss der "/erthigkeit , und mog- 

 licher Teise der electrischen Ladung fur lonen auf ihre 

 antitoxisch wirkung Pflugers. Archivs. 88:68-78, 19C2. 



3. Osterhout, '.V.J. 7., On the importance of physiologically 

 balanced solutions for plants. Bot. Gaz. 42M27-134, 1906. 



