1897] CURRENT LITERATURE 303 
The resulting data show a convincing uniformity. In all cases there was 
an increase in the rapidity of germination and elongation of the radicle and 
hypocotyl in the treated seeds, with a distinct optimum above and below 
which the treatment was less effective, although never injurious. 
In the second series 100 seeds each of white mustard, rape and red clover 
were used in lots of twenty-five. The treatment was for two minutes. One 
lot received the current as in the first trial of the previous series using what 
had been shown to be the optimum voltage. The second lot was treated in the 
same manner except that the number of interruptions of the primary current 
was reduced from about 6000 for the two minutes to 10. The third lot 
received the direct current from the cells; and the fourth lot served for com- 
parison, being untreated. Two trials were made, corresponding to the first 
and third trials of the previous series, 600 seeds in all being used. 
The resulting data show a favorable effect from all three forms of treat- 
ment, there being small difference between them in hastening germination, 
but in growth of radicles and hypocotyls the alternating current of higher 
frequency giving best results. 
The third series is not so fully reported as the others, but was equally 
Satisfactory in results. It consisted in stimulating seedlings at regular inter- 
vals for some days, in order to see if beneficial effects would continue to be 
Shown as the plants grew. The current was the same as in the first trial of 
the first series, and was passed through a funnel or flower pot of moist sand 
in which the seedlings were grown. By attaching the primary wires to a 
clock movement the current was set up for about thirty seconds at the begin- 
ning of each hour. In one trial seedlings of horse bean (Vicia Faba) were 
tved for two days, and in another trial seedlings of white lupine (Lupinus: 
albus) were observed for fourteen days. Both trials gave increased growth. 
These several experiments and their results are clearly and concisely 
reported, and in a form that makes the data valuable for study. The report 
is not accompanied, however, with any discussion of the physiological action 
of electrical stimuli, or of the philosophy of the mode of treatment adopted. 
egy are very alluring topics, but must be passed over for the time — 
-CLA, 
THE EXPERIMENTS whose results are embodied ina late oe papeereee boss 
and prepared for publication by Dr. ‘Kolkwitz.2 . 
AML attempts to prove with living cells, as was done — his artificial exit ; 
by Pfeffer, and in theory by von t'Hoff, that the osmotic pressure i ‘is propor- 
ener ae Jar wis. Hotanik 2: ee ae eg he! Sec e 
