Response to carbon monoxide by geographic variants in Acacia farnesiana.
A B S T R A C T Differences in degree of defoliation in CO-air mixtures were shown by geographic variants in Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd., a widespread, weedy, pantropic, leguminous tree. Laboratorygerminated seedlings from MazatlAn (MAME-1), Sinaloa, Mexico, showed greater sensitivity to a CO gradient than plants from Point Tuna (PORO), Puerto Rico. Seedlings of both strains grown under a light intensity of 200 ft-c showed greater sensitivity to CO than those grown under 1,800 ft-c. When intact plants of 17 geographic variants grown at low-light intensities were exposed to 2%Fo CO in air, 11 strains (Mexico,8; Texas, 1; California, 1; Guatemala, 1) showed almost complete defoliation. The other six strains-from Brazil, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 1Ttaly, Algeria, and Michoac4n, Mexico-showed defoliation averaging from 23 to 70%. The significance of the CO-defoliation response is difficult to explain in terms of the natural distribution of A. farnesiana. It is suggested that this response may be correlated with some biochemical process of adaptive significance. GEOGRAPHIC variants in Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. being studied at the Plant Ecology Research Laboratory differ in several parameters, but the most bizarre difference is one shown by exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide. While certain strains show nearly total leaf loss after 24-hr exposure to CO, other strains show little or no defoliation. First observed as a result of accidental exposure to CO, the geo
Stem Orientation in Two Populations of Acacia farnesiana from Mexico Under Controlled Environmental Conditions
The orientation of stem growth in upright plants from an inland population at Saltillo, Coahuila, and in prostrate plants from a beach population at Mazatlan, Sinaloa, was examined under several conditions of photoperiod, temperature, and light intensity. Prostrateness is enhanced by lower temperatures, shorter photoperiods, and higher light intensities in both populations but is induced to a greater degree and over a wider range of conditions in the naturally prostrate form. Under longer day lengths, 16 hr, and higher temperatures, 32-24 C, the prostrate form develops almost upright and is not significantly more prostrate than the naturally upright form. Regenerated stems produced under high light intensities were significantly more prostrate in the beach population than were stems of the inland population, but under low light intensities both populations produced upright stems. The results suggest that niche plasticity of the prostrate population offers selective advantage in a subtropical beach ecosystem.
The Illinois Legislature
It further provides that the county must have voted "for license" at the last general election on that subject. Also, that the petition, together with all names and addresses on it, must first be published in at least two issues of some newspaper published in the town where the petition was circulated, for at least ten days before the petition is acted upon. Any officer authorized to issue licenses violating the provisions of this act is liable to a fine of from $500 to $1000 and imprisonment in the county jail for from two to twelve months. The act does not repeal any local laws forbidding the sale of liquor, but is cumulative to all anti-liquor laws now in force. The final section is: "This Act being necessary for the public peace, health, and safety, shall take effect and be in force from and after December 31, 1913." The postponement of the time for going into effect was made io order not to interfere with licenses already issued and to give the liquor dealers time to adjust themselves to the provisions of the act. But the liquor people denied that the emergency clause could be attached to an act the operation of which was postponed nearly a year. They called attention to the omission of the word "immediate," and declared that the postponement was in itself sufficient evidence that it was not necessary for the "immmediate preservation of the public health, peace and safety." A petition for reference was circulated and the necessary number of signatures was secured. The attorney-general was first asked for his opinion as to whether the act was subject to the referendum. That officer stated that he could find no precedent for such a case. Basing his decision on reason and common sense he declared the act not subject to the referendum. The circuit court was then asked for a write of mandamus against the secretary of state to compel him to submit the act, but the court refused to grant it, saying that the attachment of the emergency clause was evidence that the legislature intended to prevent its submission. At this writing the question is pending on appeal before the supreme court.