1910] SCHREINER & SKINNER—ABSORPTION AND GROWTH 13 
this diagram deals only with the ratios of the ingredients and not with 
the amounts that are present. 
It is apparent that there is a decided tendency for these lines to 
converge toward a region somewhat below the center, as shown by 
the congregation of arrow points in this region. In other words, the 
solutions near this central area change least in their ratio, and the 
P20 5 
Fic. 5.—Showing the ratio of the original, the final, and the ratio of the loss of 
'P,0;, NH3, and K,O from the culture solution: the dots indicate the ratio of the 
constituents in the original solution; the circles show the ratio of the constituents in 
the solution after growth; and the arrows show the ratio of the decrease. 
farther the ratios were removed from this central area originally, the 
more were they altered in the course of the experiment. According 
‘to the diagram this area would seem to lie between the ro and 20 per 
cent phosphate line, since the points on the lower line have moved 
in a direction opposite to that taken by the ratios in the upper part 
of the triangle. The data already presented show in general that 
the area of greatest growth occurred in this same region. It is in 
