61 



The carcinogenic hydrocarbons which produce cancer in animals are 

 poisonous to plants and fail to produce cancer. Certain irritating substances 

 like indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid, naphthalene acetic acid and a series 

 of scarlet red dyes, when applied to the injured surface of a plant produce 

 roots together with small tumors. These chemical tumors have been inten- 

 sively studied. On certain plants these irritating substances produce tumors 

 which, but for size, are identical, microscopically, with those produced by 

 the bacteria, Phytonionas fuinefacictis. The cells seem to be stimulated to 

 proliferate or multiply as long as the bacteria function. The chemical agents 

 applied to an injured stem seem to induce the cells in this area to multiply. 

 These stimulating effects are soon worn off. Repeated treatments under 

 present experimental conditions, result only in limited growths. The appli- 

 cations of vitamin Bl and growth substances do not affect the multiplication 

 of the first stimulated cell. Like crown gall tissue, these small growths become 

 old, turn into wood or cork, and die. 



The speaker believes that the plant tumor is a part of a reparative and 

 protective mechanism of the plant. These plant responses are analogous to 

 inflammation in the animal. It is hoped that plants ultimately will be made 

 to form tumors as a response to chemical substances, where the plant cells 

 will be so modified as to proliferate without limit, endowing them with a 

 property now possessed by animal cancer. The production of malignant plant 

 growths will throw light on the mechanism of cancer production in animals. 

 The absence of blood and lymph streams, and lack of diversity of tissue types 

 make the plant a suitable subject for the study of this important problem." 



Clyde Chandler 

 Recording Secretary 



Meeting of December 20, 1939 



The meeting of the Torrey Botanical Club held on December 

 20, 1939 at The New York Botanical Garden was called to order 

 by the President at 3.30 p.m. 



Thirty-one persons were present. 



The minutes of November 15 and December 5 were adopted as 

 read. 



It was moved by Dr. Dodge and seconded by Dr. Karling that 

 the secretary be instructed to cast a unanimous ballot for the 

 election of the following members : 



Annual : Mrs. William L. Skelton, 524 High Street. Bath, Me. ; 

 Dr. Fred T. Wolf. Biology Dept., Vanderbilt University, Nash- 

 ville. Tenn. ; Miss Ruth Ann Bobrov. 1879 Prospect Ave., New 

 York; Prof. F. M. Pagan, Dept. of Bot., University of Michigan. 

 Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Miss Agnes Beschnitt. 10765 117th St., 

 Richmond Hill, N. Y. 



