390 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
for the development of their flowers ; this tends to result in the flowers 
being produced in late summer and early autumn. The other is to gain 
advantage over other plants by the earlier opening of their flowers, by 
blossoming before the light and air are interfered with by the develop- 
ment of the foliage. This is effected by the reduction of their internodes, 
and results in the flowers opening in the early spring. Many flowers 
which ordinarily open in the autumn will not mature till the following 
spring when the conditions are unfavourable in the autumn. 
Period of Formation of the Flower-buds in the Vine.* — According 
to Sig. U. Martelli there are two important periods in the development 
of the inflorescence of the vine. The first is in the summer (about 
August) the period of the first formation of the axial parts of the 
inflorescence; the second the early spring (after February) when the 
differentiation of the principal axis into secondary axes and flower-buds 
is effected. Winter is a period of rest, when there is no apparent 
increase in the buds. Examination in autumn of the degree of deve- 
lopment of the third and fourth buds from the apex of the branch 
will indicate the prospects of the crop of grapes for the ensuing 
summer. 
Sachs has shown that, of the various rays of the solar spectrum 
the yellow rays and those nearest them take the greatest share in 
the decomposition of carbon dioxide and the process of assimilation, 
the blue in the movements of stimulation and irritation, the ultra- 
violet in the production of the flowers and reproductive organs. But, 
in addition to this, the production of flowers and fruit is greatly 
aided by other agents, especially the mineral constituents of the soil, 
the relative value of which varies with different plants. For the vine 
salts of potash are of great importance. 
Growth of Seedlings and Cuttings. j — Herr F. Hildebrand gives the 
results of several series of experiments, directed mainly in the follow- 
ing directions. 
(1) In several woody myrmecojdiilous plants (Cecropia peltata, Acacia 
cornigera ), the yellow excretion from tho tips of the pinnate leaves 
which serves to attract ants, and the hollow thorns which furnish them 
with a habitation, both make their appearance only when the seedling 
has attained a considerable size. In A. melanoxylon, cutting down the 
stem of a mature tree which was producing only phyllodes caused a 
small degree of reversion to the early condition in which the leaves 
have a pinnate lamina. This was more strongly displayed in Eucalyptus 
globulus. 
(2) The different sections of Anemone exhibit very different modes of 
germination. In species belonging to the section Eu-anemone ( blanda , 
nemorosa, narcissiflora, fulgens), the cotyledons and plumule remain 
buried in the soil, a single foliage-leaf appearing in the first stage of 
germination ; or the cotyledons also emerge and act as organs of assimi- 
lation, while the plumule remains buried. In the section Hepatica 
( Hepatica , angulosa'), both cotyledons and plumule emerge above the 
surface, but the latter is still enveloped in scales. In the section 
Tulsatilla again ( Pulsatilla , pratensis, vulgaris), not only does the 
* Bull. 8oc. Bot. Ital., i. (1892) pp. 52-9. 
t Bot. Ztg., 1. (1892) pp. 1-11, 17-2-1, 33-12 (1 pi.). 
