Botany; Geotropism; Plants -- Irritability and movements
Phaseolus multiflorus.—Twenty-nine radicles, to which nothing had been
done, growing out of a sieve, were observed at the same time with those
which had their tips greased, and for an equal length of time. Of the
29, 24 curved themselves so as to come into close contact with the
bottom of the sieve. The place of chief curvature was generally at a
distance of 5 or 6 mm. from the apex. Eight radicles had their tips
greased for a length of 2 mm., and two others for a length of 1½ mm.;
they were kept at a temperature of 15°–16° C. After intervals of from
19 h. to 24 h. all were still vertically or almost vertically
dependent, for some of them had moved towards the adjoining damp
surface by about 10°. They had therefore not been acted on, or only
slightly acted on, by the damper air on one side, although the whole
upper part was freely exposed. After 48 h. three of these radicles
became
considerably curved towards the sieve; and the absence of curvature in
some of the others might perhaps be accounted for by their not having
grown very well. But it should be observed that during the first 19 h.
to 24 h. all grew well; two of them having increased 2 and 3 mm. in
length in 11 h.; five others increased 5 to 8 mm. in 19 h.; and two,
which had been at first 4 and 6 mm. in length, increased in 24 h. to 15
and 20 mm.
The tips of 10 radicles, which likewise grew well, were coated with the
grease for a length of only 1 mm., and now the result was somewhat
different; for of these 4 curved themselves to the sieve in from 21 h.
to 24h., whilst 6 did not do so. Five of the latter were observed for
an additional day, and now all excepting one became curved to the
sieve.
The tips of 5 radicles were cauterised with nitrate of silver, and
about 1 mm. in length was thus destroyed. They were observed for
periods varying between 11 h. and 24h., and were found to have grown
well. One of them had curved until it came into contact with the sieve;
another was curving towards it; whilst the remaining three were still
vertically dependent. Of 7 not cauterised radicles observed at the same
time, all had come into contact with the sieve.
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