Model experiments on the movement of statoliths

Observations of the movements of particles in a viscous fluid contained in a model of the statocyst, rotated on a horizontal axis, lead to the following considerations in connection with the interpretation of klinostat experiments with plants. 1. An asymmetric distribution of the statoliths in the statocysts may be protracted, which might cause a continuation of stimulation, if plants are rotated at relatively high rates on a klinostat. 2. In oblong cells rotating with their longer axis at right angles to the axis of a horizontal klinostat, asymmetric distributions of the statoliths may disturb the so-called omnilateral stimulation postulated. This might be of significance in connection with the explanation of those reactions of roots on the klinostat, which are known in the literature as the “rotation curvatures of Zimmermann”.