120 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
inevitable that each colloidal particle bears a surface charge, which 
in some cases is negative and others positive, as indicated by the 
characteristic differences in the migration of different colloids. 
Furthermore, the researches of LINDER and Picton show that the 
sign of charge possessed by the particles in a hydrosol bears a 
definite relation to the chemical composition of the particles, acid 
particles bearing a positive charge and basic particles a negative 
charge. 
PERRIN (17) extended the work and formulated the following 
rule: “In the absence of polyvalent radicals, all non-metallic sub- 
stances become positive in liquids that are acidic and negative in 
liquids which are basic.” 
Harpy (8) found that colloidal particles of derived albumins 
“move with the negative” (that is, they bear a negative charge 
and move toward the positive electrode) “if the reaction of the 
fluid is alkaline, with the positive stream if the reaction is acid.” 
The present work was undertaken with the idea of determining 
in a more or less quantitative way the effect of the direct electric 
current on the protoplast, the actual amount of current flowing 
through the organ being under control at all times. The investi- 
gation consists of two phases: first, that of cytological effect pro- 
duced; and second, the combining of two factors, time and current 
intensity, to produce death of the protoplasts. 
Materials and methods 
Young seedlings of Pisum sativum of the variety known as 
White Canada Field Pea were chosen as the best material for this 
work, although onion, lupine, and Scarlet Runner bean were tested 
and the same cellular phenomena produced. The pea seedlings 
were grown in moist sawdust in ordinary 8-inch flower pots. The 
seeds were soaked in water for 12-24 hours, when all those not of 
uniform size were discarded. The hulls were removed and the 
seeds planted in the moist sawdust with the radicles pointing down- 
ward. The pots were then placed in the greenhouse. This method, 
if the moisture conditions of the sawdust are correct, will produce 
uniform germination and seedlings with straight radicles. Two 
lots were planted each day, one in the morning and one in the 
