i9o8] CURRENT LITERATURE 273 



are widely distributed, but no true alkaloid 



bodies, allied to trimethylamin, 



has yet been found. The composition of fungi and animals shows some striking 



resemblances. 



In gathering together the data regarding the chemistry of the higher fungi, 

 in citing the literature, and in describing methods of isolation and identification, 

 Zellner supplements acceptably the related sections of Czapek's Biochemie der 

 Pflanzcn and facilitates further studies in this field. — C. R. B. 



a 



Sleep " movements 



reccn 



these 



he has planned ingenious methods of securing the self-registration of the move- 

 ments of simple leaves, or the folding of a number of leaflets. In addition to the 

 clever arrangements of levers, he has devised several forms of registering apparatus, 

 and methods for continuous and intermittent illumination, in which the disturbing 

 effects of varying temperature are eliminated, and at will a sudden or gradual 

 illumination is secured, by electric tungsten or mercurj' lamps, without sparking 

 at the contacts. These methods and apparatus will doubtless prove of very great 

 ser\'ice, not only in the study of "sleep" movements, but also wherever, as in this 



case 



The records published in this monograph, giving for the first time the autographs 

 of leaves subjected to var>'ing conditions of light and temperature, are likely to 

 become classic illustrations. They show not only the so-called ''sleep" movements, 

 but also the independent autonomous movements which often accompany them, 

 and the interesting rhythmic movements that persist for some time when the leaves 

 are kept in uniform conditions. The work is one which will take its place with 

 other monographs of this author as a permanent contribution to plant physiolog)'. 

 The contribution, however, lies rather in the useful apparatus and in the direct 

 results recorded than in any theoretical considerations which are deducible. 



The '* sleep" movements, whether they are executed by growth or turgor, are 

 herein definitely shown to be photonastic or thermonastic reactions, called forth 

 by the daily change of illumination or temperature, or by the co-operation of both 



factors. 



case 



term 



under 



constant conditions the "sleep" movements gradually disappear in 3-5 days 

 through after-movements of diminishing amplitude, there often remain autono- 

 mous movements of much>horter/hythm, which are quite independent of the others. 

 Many specific peculiarities in the responses are described, which cannot be here 

 enumerated. Thermonastic responses show similar peculiarities and the photo- 



actions seem bound 

 ermonastic responses 



Schlafbe 



Blattorgane. Abhl. :vlath.-phys. Kl. Konig. Sachs. Gesells. Wiss. 30: 259-472- fii^' 3^' 

 i9c>7. Separately of B. G. Teubner, Leipzig. M 8. 



