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weight ratios, we get a curve with the same general aspect as the
curve given in the papers referred to. (Similar results have been
obtained by some fifteen genera of flowering plants, [16] p. 102—
103 and [14] p. 130—131). We find that the general aspect of
this curve bears a striking similarity to that common to our three
curves, with the exception of the discontinuity. The essential
difference is the rapid increase from point V to point VI as com-
pared to the slow inerease from point III to V in our curves,
against Ihe more even increase in ÖSTERHOUT’s curve. The anta-
gonism seems thus (if the general aspect of its effect really is gi-
ven by either of our three curves) to work in a way, to a certain
extent similar to the antagonistic action in concentrated solutions.
It may be argued that the discontinuity, as being a very im-
probable point in the curve, should prove, that the suggestion
given above were not true. This point will be investigated more
in detail, and therefore nothing will be said with certainty about
the explanation of it. The author, however, considers it not quite
improbable that a possible explanation may be given without
abandoning the whole theory. We must remember that we have,
in calculating the antagonism curves, disregarded the nutritive
effect of sodium. As has been referred to above, we do not know
whether it is exactly true that sodium has no nutritive function
at all. It may be possible that the nutritive function of sodium
is active, its effect being approximated by a usual logarithmical
form, asymptotically tending to a straight line. If this is so, it
is furthermore very probable that the point at which the diffe-
rence between the ordinate of this logarithmical form and that
of the straight line may be disregarded gives a much lower value
on the abscissa-axis than the corresponding figures for the ordi-
nary “food-substances*. Assuming that this low concentration
may be realized in our point III, the course of the curve from
II to HI will be explained by co-operation between the antago-
nistic function and the nutritive function of sodium. Besides, the
low value of If may also be explained on the assumption that the
extremely strong attack of. grey-spot disease on the plants may
constitute a secondary retarding influence on the growth. Thus,
the author at any rate considers these indications enough to prove
the possibility of an explanation of the discontinuity, while retain-
ing the suggestion propounded above.
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