(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. 19° 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)

(2

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 10° 20' July 31' to to 8°. 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 8° 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 8° 30' a.m to 8° 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)

[215v]

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