The Causes of Fluctuations in Turgescence in the Motor Organs of Leaves

Description:

Annals of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Calcutta Vol. VI, Part I (1). Illustrations by Cunningham, many hand-coloured, lithographed by A.C. Mukerjei, P.N Sinha, A.C. Singha and K.D. Chandra. The paper contains the results of research into the causes of movements in plants, proposing that it is due to 'physical processes connected either with fluctuations in the osmotic capacities of the tissue-elements, or with alterations in the relations existing between local or general supply and loss of water'. Vol. VI, Part I (2), 'A new and Parasitic Species of Choanephora', also listed on the cover and main title page, is not present.

David Douglas Cunningham (1843-1914) was a Scottish medical doctor and researcher. After graduating in Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, he joined the Indian Medical Service in 1868 and spent many years in India studying various aspects of public health and medicine. Cunningham is known for his studies on the spread of bacterial and fungal spores through the air. He also conducted research on cholera and published on natural history topics. At the time of publication of this particular work, he was Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel in the Bengal Army.

In the introduction, Cunningham notes the importance of studying tropical plants in their natural habitat. He criticises the German botanist Julius von Sachs (1832-1897) stating, 'Had Sachs had any practical experience of tropical conditions, he could hardly have seriously entertained the idea that the power of movement possessed by leaves of Mimosa pudica has been evolved in connection with the protection which it provides against injuries from hailstorms!'

Condition

4to (375x290mm), unbound gatherings (largley unopened), in orig. portfolio, qtr morocco, paper-covered, printed boards, orig. ties. Scuffed, worn to foot of spine. Some light foxing.