[73]

Dec. 24

Canary grass

Plants placed under microscope Table. in N.E. window were all bowed greatly towards interior of room, though so slightly lighted.— Earth covered with damp argillaceous sand, & the bowing of plants projecting only .13 above earth had left open space to leeward of 2/100 of inch, showing force with which they bow to light, even very obscure light.— (Plant .08 8/100 8/100 high certainly bowed.) — Plant 3/10 high with furrow behind .04 Plant only 3/100 high above sand, & therefore showing only narrow rim of pink above ground was certainly bowed for a depth of 2/10 beneath the surface, showing action of light transmitted beneath soil; also showing that at first uppermost part quite sensitive to light

[74]

Canary-grass— Dec 26th. 77 Seedlings Kept in dark for 18° & covered with fine damp argillaceous sand— Round some of the younger plants there was a minute crack, but not so plain as with Asparagus, which can only be accounted for by seed pushed on one side by nutation revolving.—

[75]

Dec 26/ 77/ Canary grass: painted thickly with Indian ink, from base or near base up to given length from extreme tip; or in 6, 7, & 8 painted down from extreme tip to stated length or depth:

(Exposed S.W window from 11. 15 to 4. 30 Bright frosty day)

(1) Plant 6/8 High— naked point tip .15 in length left, all rest painted quite straight, painted down to ground.— why did not this curve?

examine

(2) a Plant little over over 4/8 high — naked tip .1 — slightly curved to light, painted down almost to ground examine

(No use) Paint

(3) 6/8 high naked tip .1 — quite straight, painted down 1/2 way to ground

(4) 5/8 high naked tip from point begins .05, or this much much left naked .05 tip, quite straight only a paint goes only a short way down

(5) 5 1/2 /8 tip naked for .05 tip quite straight, paint goes only a short way down stem

(6) 7 1/2 /8 whole tip painted for to .15 in depth — quite straight

(7) 7/12 whole tip to .15 — curved to point at right angles to light

removed for examination under microscope examine

(Dec 27 I find broad crack all down one side, whether this was present yesterday I know not.)

(8) (9) 9/12 whole tip .2 quite straight

N.B The free ones not much bent, which I do not understand— are they too old— did they germinate in too cold place— Did keeping them in cool dark cupboard, make them less sensitive — Is weather too cold? These observations do not tell much but fav favourable as far as they go

[in margin:] 4. 30 Either too cold or not light enough or not long enough exposure, but the unpainted ones only slightly curved & none of the black ones at all curved. —4° 35 exposed to Paraffin Lamp.— Taken from lamp 9°. 55 P.m.

[75v]

Dec. 27'

(Big Pin one side alone painted)— Reversed pot — The free seedlings had become nearly upright during night— Repainted slightly the painted specs & exposed to lamp at 8° 30 ' removed at 5° P.m, but none much curved The one painted on one side deflected this much from the direction which it ought to have held.

[annotated diagram]

direction of the one painted on one side 28° direction of light

[76]

Deflection from one side painted

Phalaris

Jan 1 (8)

(14) open conical cap .3 deep. white paper below (slightly curved obliquely away from light)

Jan 2d. 11° now vertical as far as direction of light concerned

It is hardly possible to paint 1/2 faces truly & so as to face light symmetrically.)

15. 16. 17 half face, vertically to .2 deep.

(15. curvature far down; angle of deflection 35°)

(16 curvature far down, angle of deflection 83°)

(17 angle of deflection 31°)

18. 19 all painted to ground, except white tips: a very slight curvature to light, but then nos. 1, 2, 3, show us that paint not secure.— Can No evidence of tips being sensitive

(20) (21) painted down .2 except white tips 1/2 vertical face

(21 bowing far down; angle of deflection 43°)

(20 angle of deflection 39°)

22. 23) painted down .2 except white tips:

(22) very slight curvature obliquely to light:

(23) a trace of curvature to light — No evidence of tips being sensitive

(over)