360 Groom . — On Thismia Aseroe ( Beccctri ) 
present is in the form of ammonia and feebly oxidized organic 
compounds. And, again, Schimper’s 1 observations show that 
the reduction of nitrates, sulphates, and possibly phosphates, 
by higher plants is dependent on the co-operation of light 
and chlorophyll. Further, the suggestion that the Fungus is 
supplied direct from the substratum with its nitrogen in the 
form of feebly oxidized nitrogenous bodies finds support, 
I think, from Professor Vines’ 2 observations showing that the 
development of tubercles in the Leguminosae is inversely 
proportional to the amount of nitrate supplied to the plants. 
Here the nitrate is easily assimilated by the well-lighted 
leguminous plant itself, and is rapidly conducted away from 
the roots, whereas it is probable that the Fungus, like a typical 
Fungus, does not readily accept nitrates as food 3 . 
But I hope soon to publish some experimental results 
confirming or disproving these hypotheses. 
In conclusion I desire to express my thanks to Mr. H. N. 
Ridley for the material used in this investigation, and for 
the coloured illustration of the whole plant, which was drawn 
by the Singapore artist De Alwis ; also to Professor Vines for 
the continued hospitality which permitted the carrying out of 
this research in the Botanical Laboratory of the University 
of Oxford. 
1 A. F. W. Schimper, Zur Frage der Assimilation der Mineralsalze durch die 
grime Pflanze. Flora, 1890, p. 207. 
2 S. H. Vines, On the Relation between the Formation of Tubercles on the 
Roots of Leguminosae and the Presence of Nitrogen in the Soil. Annals of 
Botany, 1888, p. 386. 
3 Lawes & Gilbert suggest, too, that ectotrophic mycorhizal hyphae enable the 
plant infected to acquire nitrogen otherwise not easily assimilated by the plant. 
