Botany; Geotropism; Plants -- Irritability and movements
Nolana prostrata (Nolaneae).—The movements were not traced, but a pot
with seedlings, which had been kept in the dark for an hour, was placed
under the microscope, with the micrometer eye-piece so adjusted that
each division equalled 1/500th of an inch. The apex of one of the
cotyledons crossed rather obliquely four divisions in 13 minutes; it
was also sinking, as shown by getting out of focus. The seedlings were
again placed in darkness for another hour, and the apex now crossed two
divisions in 6 m. 18 s.; that is, at very nearly the same rate as
before. After another interval of an hour in darkness, it crossed two
divisions in 4 m. 15 s., therefore at a quicker rate. In the afternoon,
after a longer interval in the dark, the apex was motionless, but after
a time it recommenced moving, though slowly; perhaps the room was too
cold. Judging from previous cases, there can hardly be a doubt that
this seedling was circumnutating.
Solanum lycopersicum (Solaneae).—The movements of the hypocotyls of two
seedling tomatoes were observed during seven hours, and there could be
no doubt that both circumnutated. They were illuminated from above, but
by an accident a little light entered on one side, and in the
accompanying figure (Fig. 37) it may be seen that the hypocotyl moved
to this side (the upper one in the figure), making small loops and
zigzagging in its course. The movements of the cotyledons were also
traced both on vertical and horizontal glasses; their angles with the
horizon were likewise measured at various hours. They fell from 8.30
A.M. (October 17th) to about noon; then moved laterally in a zigzag
line, and at about 4 P.M. began to rise; they continued to do so until
10.30 P.M., by which hour they stood vertically and were asleep. At
what hour of the night or early morning they began to fall was not
ascertained. Owing to the lateral movement shortly after mid-day, the
descending and ascending lines did not coincide, and irregular ellipses
were described during each 24 h. The regular periodicity of these
movements is destroyed, as we shall hereafter see, if the seedlings are
kept in the dark.
Fig. 37. Solanum lycopersicum: circumnutation of hypocotyl, with
filament fixed across its summit, traced on horizontal glass, from 10
A.M. to 5 P.M. Oct. 24th. Illuminated obliquely from above. Movement of
bead magnified about 35 times, here reduced to one-third of original
scale.
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