Populations of Plant-Like Flagellates

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Abstract
Laboratory cultures undergo changes which become increasingly detrimental to growth as the population increases in density, although the effects may be postponed by occurrence of a lag phase when biol. conditioning exerts a favorable action. The growth-rate, in young cultures, may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the initial density of population. The allelocatalytic effect has been reported in Chilomonas paramecium and, under certain conditions only, in Euglena gracilis. This evidence is evaluated in relation to technique of inoculation. The Woodruff effect also has been reported in Euglena and Chilomonas. The concept of an "X substance," supposed to be produced by Chilomonas and to exert quantitative effects on growth, is based upon inconclusive evidence. Most of the basic factors influencing growth of plant-like flagellates remain to be investigated in detail.