RESPIRATION AND TRANSPIRATION 123 



RESPIRATION AND TRANSPIRATION 



General conclusions based on experiments on the fruit- 

 ing portions of fungi by Bonnier and Magnin are as 



follows : 



Respiration 



1. Is augmented by an elevation of temperature, but 

 there is no optimum. 



2. Diffused light retards its intensity. 



3. The most refrangible rays of light favour the process 

 to the greatest degree. 



4. Is accelerated by increase of moisture in the air. 



CO 



5. The value of the ratio ;~p carbonic acid given off, 



and of oxygen absorbed, is variable in different species, but 

 is in general less than the unit. Fungi assimilate oxygen. 



CO 



6. The ratio -^p is constant for a given species, and 



does not vary with the pressure. 



7. This ratio is constant at all temperatures. 



Transpiration 



1. Is augmented by the elevation of temperature. 



2. Diminishes as the amount of moisture in the air 

 increases. 



3. Is favoured by diffused light. 



Kolkwitz, experimenting with Penidllium, and using the 

 electric light instead of sunlight, observed that under these 

 conditions respiration increased about ten per cent. This 

 result was constant whether the fungus was young or old, 

 in rich or poor nutrient media, or in an acid or alkaline 

 substance. 



