TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PART I— PHYSIOLOGY OF NUTRITION 



CHAPTER I 



Assimilation of Carbon and of the Radiant Energy of the Sun by 



Green Plants 



Page 



i. Importance of the assimilation of carbon by green plants i 



2. Exchange of gases . . . • 2 



3. Chlorophyll 5 



4. Pigments accompanying chlorophyll 19 



5. Influence of light upon the decomposition of carbonic acid by plants 21 



6. Products of photosynthesis 28 



7. Assimilation of solar radiant energy by green plants 32 



S. Influence of external and internal conditions upon photosynthesis 34 



9. Nutrition of green plants by organic compounds 36 



Summary 39 



CHAPTER II 



Assimilation of Carbon and of Energy by Plants without Chlorophyll 



1. General discussion 42 



2. Assimilation of energy from organic compounds by plants without chlorophyll. ... 42 



3. Assimilation of energy from inorganic substances by plants without chlorophyll. ... 47 



4. Distribution of microorganisms in nature 52 



5. Sterilization and disinfection 56 



6. Pure cultures 58 



Summary 61 



CHAPTER III 



Assimilation of Nitrogen 



1. The nitrogen of the air , 64 



2. The nitrogen of the soil 65 



3. Nitrification in soils 67 



4. Circulation of nitrogen in nature 72 



5. Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by the Leguminosae 73 



6. Assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by bacteria 7S 



7. Assimilation of nitrogen compounds by lower plants 79 



Summary -0 



xxv 



