32 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXVIII. No. 966 



THE EFFECT OF EXTERNAL STIMULI UPON 

 THE CELL 



The structure of the trophoplasm is an ex- 

 pression of the physiologic state. This struc- 

 ture consequently varies with the changing 

 functional phases of the trophoplasm. Thus, 

 in the root tip of Vicia faba the trophoplasm 

 in the later stages of inanition becomes homo- 

 geneous; under the influence of antipyrine it 

 becomes beautifully alveolar; under the influ- 

 ence of caffein it becomes granular; and in 

 cells subjected to high pressure it becomes 

 filar. The quantity of the trophoplasm is re- 

 duced as the cell activities are increased above 

 the normal. Thus, in cells exposed to tem- 

 peratures of 38 degrees Centigrade the tropho- 

 plasm is greatly reduced in quantity, and may 

 appear not unlike the trophoplasm in ad- 

 vanced stages of inanition. A similar reduc- 

 tion is noticeable when cells are subjected to 

 two-per-cent. solutions of antipyrine. On the 

 other hand, cells subjected to low i&rqy&ca,- 

 tures — zero degrees Centigrade to + 2 — the 

 cell activity is reduced and the trophoplasm 

 increased in quantity. The same is true, 

 though to a less extent, when cells are sub- 

 jected to a two-per-cent. solution of chloral 

 hydrate. 



The kinoplasm is physiologically and mor- 

 phologically distinct from the trophoplasm. It 

 is destroyed at temperatures near zero degrees 

 Centigrade and at 38 to 40 degrees. The 

 trophoplasm endures these temperatures for a 

 considerably longer time, with little or no in- 

 jury. Chemical agents, like chloral hydrate, 

 readily destroy the kinoplasm with little or 

 no injury to the trophoplasm. The nucleolus 

 varies in size, being large when the cell ac- 

 tivity is greatly reduced and small when the 

 cell activity is greatly increased. It is to be 

 looked upon as reserve food material for gen- 

 eral cellular activity. It is not food material 

 solely for kinoplasm, nor does its substance 

 penetrate the trophoplasm and thus activate 

 or produce the kinoplasm. 



It is difficult or impossible to explain the 

 behavior of the mitotic spindle under the dif- 

 ferent stimuli, physical and chemical, with 



many of the theories now held in regard to 

 spindle mechanism as a function. 



C. F. HOTTES 



TEE AMEBICAN ASSOCIATION FOB TSE 



ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE 



SECTION G— BOTANY 



The session of Section G, Botany, was held at 

 Cleveland on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 

 31, 1912. The program consisted of the address 

 of the retiring vice-president, Professor F. C. 

 Newcombe, on the topic "The Scope of State 

 Natural History Surveys," and of the following 

 invitation addresses : ' ' The Effect of External 

 Stimuli upon the Cell," Professor C. F. Hottes; 

 "A Plea for Closer Interrelations in our Work," 

 Professor L. K. Jones; "A Field Study of Ori- 

 ental Cyeads, " Professor 0. J. Chamberlain. Pro- 

 fessor Newcombe 's address has appeared in Sci- 

 ence, and the invitation addresses will also be 

 published in Science. 



Professor Henry C. Cowles was elected vice- 

 president of Section G for the following year, and 

 Professor W. J. V. Osterhout was elected secre- 

 tary for five years. Professor F. C. Newcombe 

 was elected a member of the sectional committee 

 for five years. Professor C. E. Allen and Professor 

 B. E. Livingston were chosen as a special com- 

 mittee to consider affiliation with the Botanical 

 Society of America. Henry C. Cowles, 



Secretary 



BOTANISTS OF TSE CENTBAL STATES 

 A SPECIAL business meeting of this organization 

 was held in connection with the meetings of the 

 American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science at Cleveland, Tuesday, December 31, 1912. 

 In the absence of the president. Professor T. H. 

 Macbride, Past-president Professor F. C. New- 

 combe occupied the chair. The business of the 

 meeting was to consider the desirability of again 

 holding scientific sessions. The secretary read the 

 results of a questionnaire that had been sent to 

 the members, and in view of the large majority 

 favoring active continuance, it was voted to hold 

 meetings in the future in those years when the 

 American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science meets outside the territory of the Botan- 

 ists of the Central States, which, broadly speaking, 

 is the Mississippi Valley. Of those expressing an 

 opinion, a majority favored holding meetings in 

 conjunction with the zoologists, preferably about 

 Easter. Henry C. Cowles, 



Secretary 



