Page:Life Movements in Plants.djvu/99

Rh increasing depression due to cold, the temperature minimum occurring at 4 On account of the combined effects of these various factors, and phenomenon of lag, the period of minimum excitability is in general reached about 8  In certain other cases this may occur earlier. After the attainment of this minimum, the excitability is gradually and continuously increased, under the action of light and of rising temperature, till the maximum is reached in the afternoon.

It was said that temperature exerted a predominant influence in inducing variation of excitability. We may, therefore, expect that the diurnal period would be modified in a certain way according to the season. In winter the night temperature falls very low; hence the depression of excitability is correspondingly great, and results in the complete abolition of excitability. The after-effect of intense cold is seen in the condition of inexcitability persisting for a very long period in the morning. In summer the prevailing high temperature modifies the diurnal periodicity in a different manner. When the night is warm, the fall of excitability is slight. In the day, on the other hand, the temperature may rise above the optimum, bringing about a depression. In such a case the excitability in the earlier part of the evening may actually be greater than in the middle of the day. These modifications are shown in a very interesting way in the following record (Fig. 29) taken at the end of April. The temperature of Calcutta at this season often rises above 100°F. or 38°C. Table III also exhibits, in the case of the summer specimen, the relation between the hours of the day, temperature, and excitability.