Igti]} CURRENT LITERATURE 243 
phases, and not again during the anaphases. The exact manner of division 
of the chromosomes seems to agree with that described by Miss FRASER, but 
on the basis of certain stages, which he thinks were missed by her, he interprets 
his results in a different way. He describes a synapsis stage, whose loops 
correspond to the y-shaped chromosomes, which later appear on the spindle 
in the equatorial plate. Although he does not very strongly insist on this 
f ‘ 
scribed by FARMER and Moore for higher forms of plants and animals obtains 
in the ascomycetes. In the first part of the paper an interesting discussion 
of the state of these Aix and other problems relating to the ascomycetes 
will be found.—J. B. Overton. 
Anaerobic growth.—LeHMAN” has studied anaerobic growth in higher 
plants, trying to determine whether the view of WIELER or that of NABOKICH is 
correct. WIELER claims that the higher plants will not grow in total absence 
of oxygen, but that only a very low oxygen pressure is needed for growth. 
NABOKICH claims that higher plants will grow in absence of oxygen. He 
maintains, however, that proper nutritive conditions must be supplied, as 
in fungi. For this purpose a glucose solution is suitable. This solution 
certainly increases anaerobic growth in the pea seed, sunflower seedling, and 
other forms. In a later article, not cited by LEHMAN, NABOKICH® describes 
the course of anaerobic growth in higher plants. Soon after placing the 
organ in the oxygen-free medium, growth ceases (Vacuumstarre). Some- 
what later growth begins, and the rate rises until it equals that of aerobic 
growth. Still later growth ceases and death of the organ ensues. NABOKICH 
explains the course of anaerobic growth as follows: oxygen acts as a stimulus 
to growth, and not merely as an energy releaser, hence with its withdrawal 
growth ceases; intramolecular respiration later produces poisonous by- 
products, whith in low concentrations act as stimuli to growth, but which 
with further accumulations stop growth and kill the organ. The bad feature 
of this explanation is the indefiniteness of the term stimulus. NABOKICH 
finds that resting plant cells or those with low metabolic activity can remain 
in oxygen-free condition for long periods without injury. 
LEHMAN found only very slight if any anaerobic growth in Vicia Faba, 
Pisum sativum, Lupinus albus, Brassica Napus, Phaseolus multiflorus, and 
Cucurbita, ais in distilled water or glucose solution. In Zea Mays and 
Glyceria fluitans, anaerobic growth was marked in glucose solution, but was 
nil in distilled water. In Helianthus annuus, anaerobic growth was slight in 
distilled water, but considerable in glucose solution. LrHMAN concludes that 
anaerobic growth in any higher plants is not long-enduring nor considerable 
*? LEHMAN, Ernst, Zur Kenntnis des anaeroben Wachstums héheren Pflanzen. 
Jahrb. Wiss. Bot. 49:61-90 
* NaBoxicu, A. J., Ueber die Wachabiusebies Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 26: 7-140. 
Iglo. 
