Abstract
Sporelings of Marsilea Drummondii were grown aseptically on a basic medium of mineral nutrients with addition of 2 per cent, glucose and a range of concentrations of 3-indolylacetic acid and 3-indolylacetonitrile. Apart from certain changes in the root system the acid had no pronounced effect on the cultures when present at 0·01, 0·1, and 1·0 mg./l.; but at 10 mg./l. it was markedly toxic, the sporelings remaining small and malformed. In constrast, the nitrile supported very vigorous growth at 10 mg./l., and the internodes and petioles of the plants became strikingly elongated, although there was no increase in the area of the leaf lamina. Examination of the epidermal cells of internode and petiole indicated that in this layer at least the elongation was not merely a result of cellular extension, but was accompanied or caused by increased transverse division of the cells. The significance of the results is briefly discussed.
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