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Nov. 3 1877

Common Beet

Nov. 3d. fixed filament of glass transversely to stem of Cot with gum, & very fine wire to another stem & observed during day, but the [sketch] cover let in little crack of light, & I had to uncovered uncover the seedling for 2 or 3 minutes every 1/2 or 3/4 of hour, consequently (as plants excessively sensitive to light) both plants bent so greatly to light that I feared to deduce any result; but the lines were somewhat zi-zag, so that I believe nutation, did not keep tracing. The tracing shows, as others have done that nutation is converted into zig-zag by greater growth of the darkened side. (The cot. close at night, during day 7 were widely open, & at night after after part also grt great considerable darkness during whole day— only 3 were open & these were the oldest seedlings

(Nov. 4th observed same 2 plants again in completely darkened room & fixed filament of glass to another far younger younger plant (—ie. right left hand one) Traced on Horizontal glass as before.

Diagram (1) shows movements of the stem of younger Cots. plant, magnified 22.8 times, (so cd. calculate actual movement) between 8°. 25 & 5. 30 ie in 9° & it made during this time wht represents about. 2 & 1/2 revolutions.

Diagram 2 shows movement of older seedlings observed yesterday in semi-darkness & it made during same time about as much movements.

Diagram 3. shows movement of plant with bit of wire to stem, also observed yesterday. This moved in more complicated manner. Diagram 2 & 3 magnified about as much as I.

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Beet

(Used)

Nov. 6' tried to observe movements of cotyledons, the stem being banked up with damp argillaceous sand, but by evening had grown above the sand & clearly nutated. Kept in dark room & traced on vertical glass; this plan. [sketch]

The Cot of one seedling rose from 8° 48, till 2' then went on same level to left till 3° then bent down from 3° to 6° & then nutated.

The other Cot. rose for some time & then nutated. I do not know what to infer from these movements. Possibly There may be can hardly be normally an upward or closing movement during the morning, as they close during night; & there certainly must be a rising movement in the Evening. Therefore I believe that the complete darkness altogether put out all the normal movement. It is especially noteworthy that after being kept dark all day, they the Cots did not go to sleep at night at 10° 30' P.m; & being kept dark during whole night were not asleep next morning at 7° a.m.)

(Nov. 7th After being all day in greenhouse but day very cloudy at 7° 30' P.m. not asleep 10° 10' P.m all awake)

Nov. 8th Day mostly bright with sun shining: at 4° 45' not asleep. 10° P.m not asleep.

Nov 9th & 10th not asleep