Botany; Geotropism; Plants -- Irritability and movements
The tips of 15 radicles were cauterised with nitrate of silver, and
they grew as well as those above described with greased tips. After an
interval of 24 h., 9 of them were not at all curved towards the bottom
of the sieve; 2 were curved towards it at angles of 20° and 12° from
their former vertical position, and 4 had come into close contact with
it. Thus the destruction of the tip for a length of about 1 mm.
prevented the curvature of the greater number of these radicles to the
adjoining damp surface. Of 24 control specimens, 23 were bent to the
sieve, and on a second occasion 15 out of 16 were similarly curved in a
greater or less degree. These control trials are included in those
given in the foregoing paragraph.
Avena sativa.—The tips of 13 radicles, which projected between 2 and 4
mm. from the bottom of the sieve, many of
them not quite perpendicularly downwards, were coated with the black
grease for a length of from 1 to 1½ mm. The sieves were inclined at 30°
with the horizon. The greater number of these radicles were examined
after 22 h., and a few after 25 h., and within these intervals they had
grown so quickly as to have nearly doubled their lengths. With the
ungreased radicles the chief seat of curvature is at a distance of not
less than between 3.5 and 5.5 mm., and not more than between 7 and 10
mm. from the apex. Out of the 13 radicles with greased tips, 4 had not
moved at all towards the sieve; 6 were deflected towards it and from
the perpendicular by angles varying between 10° and 35°; and 3 had come
into close contact with it. It appears, therefore, at first sight that
greasing the tips of these radicles had checked but little their
bending to the adjoining damp surface. But the inspection of the sieves
on two occasions produced a widely different impression on the mind;
for it was impossible to behold the radicles with the black greased
tips projecting from the bottom, and all those with ungreased tips, at
least 40 to 50 in number, clinging closely to it, and feel any doubt
that the greasing had produced a great effect. On close examination
only a single ungreased radicle could be found which had not become
curved towards the sieve. It is probable that if the tips had been
protected by grease for a length of 2 mm. instead of from 1 to 1½ mm.,
they would not have been affected by the moist air and none would have
become curved.
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