Experiment 12.—We now turn to fluids. A row of drops of a strong
infusion of raw meat were placed along the margins of two leaves;
squares of sponge soaked in the same infusion being placed on the
opposite margins. My object was to ascer- [page 375] tain whether a
fluid would act as energetically as a substance yielding the same
soluble matter to the glands. No distinct difference was perceptible;
certainly none in the degree of incurvation; but the incurvation round
the bits of sponge lasted rather longer, as might perhaps have been
expected from the sponge remaining damp and supplying nitrogenous
matter for a longer time. The margins, with the drops, became plainly
incurved in 2 hrs. 17 m. The incurvation subsequently increased
somewhat, but after 24 hrs. had greatly decreased.
Experiment 13.—Drops of the same strong infusion of raw meat were
placed along the midrib of a young and rather deeply concave leaf. The
distance across the broadest part of the leaf, between the naturally
incurved edges, was .55 of an inch (13.97 mm.). In 3 hrs. 27 m. this
distance was a trace less; in 6 hrs. 27 m. it was exactly .45 of an
inch (11.43 mm.), and had therefore decreased by .1 of an inch (2.54
mm.). After only 10 hrs. 37 m. the margin began to re-expand, for the
distance from edge to edge was now a trace wider, and after 24 hrs. 20
m. was as great, within a hair’s breadth, as when the drops were first
placed on the leaf. From this experiment we learn that the motor
impulse can be transmitted to a distance of .22 of an inch (5.590 mm.)
in a transverse direction from the midrib to both margins; but it would
be safer to say .2 of an inch (5.08 mm.) as the drops spread a little
beyond the midrib. The incurvation thus caused lasted for an unusually
short time.
Experiment 14.—Three drops of a solution of one part of carbonate of
ammonia to 218 of water (2 grs. to 1 oz.) were placed on the margin of
a leaf. These excited so much secretion that in 1 h. 22 m. all three
drops ran together; but although the leaf was observed for 24 hrs.,
there was no trace of inflection. We know that a rather strong solution
of this salt, though it does not injure the leaves of Drosera,
paralyses their power of movement, and I have no doubt, from the
following case, that this holds good with Pinguicula.
Experiment 15.—A row of drops of a solution of one part of carbonate of
ammonia to 875 of water (1 gr. to 2 oz.) was placed on the margin of a
leaf. In 1 hr. there was apparently some slight incurvation, and this
was well-marked in 3 hrs. 30 m. After 24 hrs. the margin was almost
completely re-expanded.