(1

Arachis hypogæa

Circumnutation of gynophore.

Gynophore rigid & strong, arise from flower seated low down on stiff stems some inches in length surrounded by ring of fibro-vascular vessels— apex pointed, enclosing the ovules, smooth, could probably penetrate the ground by mere growth without other aid.

I pulled a buried gynophore, the buried buried portion of which about an inch in length was white & fastened it to stick horizontally— The vertical glass free part began immediately to descend, (See Tracing I) in somewhat somewhat zig-zag line; Perhaps sensitive (no) but Ido not know how far trustworthy, for next day the white part began to shrivel & this made many odd little irregular movements (not traced or not copied. Moreover day too cold. & there was hardly any growth in any of the gynophores.

(A green gynophore which had not reached ground 1 1/2 inches long, apex was also observed: see [sketch] vertical glass under skylight

Tracing II. ─ seemed certainly to circumnutate on very small scale; but growth had almost ceased: Temp. 19º C.; but for had been brought from Kew, & had probably been exposed to damp Air & much greater heat.

(Tw Two other gynophore (not buried) were observed, their apices seemed to circumnutate on excessively small scale.) Placed plant in cool Hot-House.

(Geotropism)

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Arachis (gynophore.)

July 31st A long gynophore, almost touching ground had filament [sketch] fixed thus & movement traced on vertical glass in Hot-House— See Tracing III. from 10º 20' July 31' to to 8º. 10' P.m Aug 1st (Next morning) pin mark (not given) was in middle of figure (This gynophore was casually observed on Aug 2d 3 days & was clearly circumnutating, being protected from any lateral light.—)

Also a short— gynophore which had grown less than 1 inch in length was observed in same manner.

Tracing IV. from 10. 20' July 31' to 8º 10' a.m. August 2d. It descended with or gone down with much circumnutation. The plant was not protected from lateral light & I suspect is Heliotropic, as in evening moved rather westerly & at night moved back; I cannot other wise understand the similarity of the movement of the 2 gynophore in the evening.—

August 2d. The short gynophore of fig IV. was hoisted up on a wire fastened to 2 perpendicular sticks & the downward movement of transverse filament traced in Hot-House on vertical glass, protected from lateral light from 8º 30' a.m to 8º 20' P.m. See Tracing V. It was clear that gynophore not sensitive to pressure for part resting on wire did not bend; but a considerable length below was acted on by geotropism & bent rapidly downwards.

The Tracing is interesting as showing one decided circumnutation in the downward course. On Aug 3d. many tip bent greatly down. (over)

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I put damp argillaceous sand round the tip of the long gynophore, which was circumnutating & there was an open mark round it, which I think could only be accounted for by the movement

Aug 24' The tip of long gynophore has now swollen into small white oval ball & is buried 7/10 of an inch beneath the general surface of ground.—

This one stood vertically up.—

(Geotropism)

Arachis Hypogæa