CHAPTER I.—THE CIRCUMNUTATING MOVEMENTS OF SEEDLING PLANTS.
Brassica oleracea, circumnutation of the radicle, of the arched hypocotylwhilst still buried beneath the ground, whilst rising above the ground andstraightening itself, and when erect—Circumnutation of thecotyledons—Rate of movement—Analogous observations on variousorgans in species of Githago, Gossypium, Oxalis, Tropaeolum, Citrus, Æsculus,of several Leguminous and Cucurbitaceous genera, Opuntia, Helianthus, Primula,Cyclamen, Stapelia, Cerinthe, Nolana, Solanum, Beta, Ricinus, Quercus, Corylus,Pinus, Cycas, Canna, Allium, Asparagus, Phalaris, Zea, Avena, Nephrodium, andSelaginella.
CHAPTER II.—GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE MOVEMENTS AND GROWTH OF SEEDLING PLANTS.
Generality of the circumnutating movement—Radicles, their circumnutationof service—Manner in which they penetrate the ground—Manner inwhich hypocotyls and other organs break through the ground by beingarched—Singular manner of germination in Megarrhiza, etc.—Abortionof cotyledons—Circumnutation of hypocotyls and epicotyls whilst stillburied and arched—Their power of straightening themselves—Burstingof the seed-coats—Inherited effect of the arching process in hypogeanhypocotyls—Circumnutation of hypocotyls and epicotyls whenerect—Circumnutation of cotyledons—Pulvini or joints of cotyledons,duration of their