Search for Mitogenetic Radiation by Means of the Photoelectric Method

The intensity of mitogenetic radiation was estimated from data given by Gurwitsch. The sensitivity of the biological method and of the physical methods were compared. With onion-base pulp and onion roots as mitogenetic inductors, the photographic method gave no perceptible blackening for exposures up to 184 hours. A photoelectric counter tube was described with cadmium as photoelectric metal. Its sensitivity was such that a radiation intensity of 10 to 15 quanta per cm.(2) per second of the Hg line 2536 A was detectable. Spurious effects produced by the counter tube were described and means for their avoidance given. A number of different biological materials, all supposed to be excellent mitogenetic radiators, were investigated by means of the counter tube. No mitogenetic radiation could be detected.