浑善达克沙地稀树疏林草地生态系统研究：生物量、生产力与生态恢复途径

荒漠化是困扰我国干旱和半干旱地区的重要环境问题，我国的四大沙地也是荒漠化最为严重的地区，从生态学角度提高对沙地的认识，探明其生物量和生产力对于了解沙地生态系统的结构和功能是非常有意义的。本研究以浑善达克沙地为例，对沙地的植被特点、生物量和生产力以及退化沙地的恢复策略进行了探讨。 通过对浑善达克沙地进行的植被调查发现，浑善达克沙地的稀树疏林草地景观由草本层、灌丛和榆树疏林构成，彼此呈相间排列、交替出现的格局。在丘间低地以地带性的草本层植物占优势，灌丛主要出现在沙丘和丘间低地的过渡地段，地下水位较高的地方。榆树（Ulmus pumila）是沙地的优势树种，占沙地乔木的95％，榆树疏林主要在固定沙地稀疏分布，占沙地榆树总量的84％。胸径10-25 cm的榆树占60％，幼树少见，这和放牧干扰有关。沙地的稀树疏林草地是不同于周围草原地带的隐域植被，带有明显的超地带性，同时因受地带性气候的影响，兼有地带性特征。 在碳循环方面，为了估测沙地植被的碳存储潜力，我们对浑善达克沙地的生物量进行了估测。整个沙地被分为六种生境，分别求算生物量，然后汇总。对于其中的榆树生物量建立了异速生长关系进行估算。结果表明，浑善达克沙地植被的平均生物量为21.30 Mg ha-1，其中丘间低地的贡献为65％。从生活型上看，草本层的贡献占优势，而榆树的贡献很小，仅为10％。平均地下/地上生物量的分配比例为2.9。与草地生态系统相比，浑善达克沙地的生物量要高出90％，表明沙地植被是草原地带内的隐域植被，特殊的土壤水热条件使它具有更高的碳存储潜力。沙地的大范围恢复将使该碳库通过碳获取得以实现。 净初级生产力（NPP）是生态系统功能的重要体现，它可以反映植被碳固定的能力。为了了解稀树疏林草地NPP的特点，我们对浑善达克沙地六种生境的NPP分别进行了求算，然后汇总。浑善达克沙地植被的平均NPP为11.06 Mg ha-1 yr-1，各生境的贡献不同，以丘间低地的贡献最大，达65％。生活型上看，草本层植物占优势，乔木的贡献仅为1.3％。地下/地上NPP为1.7，降水利用效率达10.9。浑善达克沙地稀树疏林草地的NPP比草地生态系统的平均值高59％。NPP的研究结果表明，沙地植被是和周围地带性草原植被存在显著差别的，这种高生产力将伴随沙地的恢复而实现，并有可能对沙地地区的碳循环产生影响。 为了探索荒漠化防治的新途径，在浑善达克沙地巴音胡舒嘎查开展了为期5年的退化草地恢复试验。结果表明，通过“以地养地”的模式可以使退化草地充分利用潜在恢复力进行自然恢复，并取得了明显效果。开辟高效地，种植高产玉米，在草地得到恢复的同时，牲畜仍然有充足的草料供应，牧民生活水平也有所提高。这种适合半干旱地区环境条件的恢复模式比在同样地区造林要有效和经济。据此，文章最后探讨了当前荒漠化防治中存在的误区和今后荒漠化防治应采取的策略。

沙地中植物的传粉对策——毛乌素案例研究

地环境严酷多变，植物的物种多样性较低且常成斑块状分布，传粉昆虫的种类较少且其数量在时间和空间上变化较大。生长在沙地中的植物常采取一些独特的传粉对策来适应其严酷多变的的环境。然而，前人对沙生植物传粉生物学的研究还非常有限，至今未总结出其与沙生环境相适应的传粉生物学特点。本文以生长于毛乌素沙地的角蒿、披针叶黄华和羊柴三种主要蜜源植物为材料，通过大量的野外观察和人工实验，对其开花习性、花生物学特点、传粉和交配系统及有性繁殖成功进行了研究，得到以下主要结论： 1. 由于传粉昆虫的种类较少，传粉者的拜访频率低且时空分布不均，角蒿发育出一种有效的生殖保障机制——通过风驱动花冠脱落实现延迟自花授粉。在花开放后期，角蒿仍然张开且未萎蔫的花冠被风吹落，拖动冠生雄蕊沿花柱向前滑动，使得花药穿过张开的柱头裂片，从而实现自花传粉。然而在柱头裂片闭合后，由于柱头表面被封闭，使得这一自花传粉过程不能实现。该植物不存在雌雄异熟，并且是完全自交亲和的。与自然状况下相比，在风排除帐中花冠脱落的比例显著减小，说明风对角蒿花冠的脱落至关重要。在排除传粉者的情况下，花开放后期花冠的脱落显著增加了柱头上的花粉数，相应也显著增加了花的结实和结籽率，说明风驱动的花冠脱落可通过促进自交来增加果实和种子生产。仅散熊蜂和四条无垫蜂两种蜂为角蒿提供传粉，但在自然状况下样地中仅仅一半的花被拜访，并且去雄花的结实率显著低于未去雄的花，表明昆虫传粉仅对花的结实有部分贡献，并且延迟自花传粉能为角蒿提供繁殖保障。另外，角蒿的柱头较敏感，它的两个张开的柱头裂片在受到传粉者触碰后很快紧紧闭合，但是如果此时柱头表面未收到或仅收到少量花粉，闭合的柱头裂片又会重新张开，这一特性是一种动态的雌雄异位，能减少自交和异交的干扰，并且也是角蒿生殖保障机制的一部分。由于涉及花器官的运动及风和敏感柱头的积极参与，因此角蒿的延迟自花传粉与以前报道的自花传粉机制均不同。此外，角蒿由蜂类和风拖动花冠共同参与的传粉模式也是一种新的风和动物联合传粉机制。 2. 披针叶黄华在早春开花，植株密集，花量较大，由于在此期间开花的虫媒植物很少，此时出现的蜂类在食源有限的情况下频繁地拜访披针叶黄华的花。在传粉者频繁拜访的压力下，披针叶黄华采取了花药序次成熟和开裂的对策来实现花粉的最佳散布。披针叶黄华是自交亲和的，单花期长3-4天，它的十枚完全分离的雄蕊在2-3天内分五对序次地伸长和开裂，这五对花药序次开裂通常彼此间隔3-4小时，但这一行为在夜间停止。五对序次开裂花药的大小、花粉数量和可育花粉的比例无显著差异。有七种蜂为披针叶黄华提供传粉，其中山本氏切叶蜂是主要传粉者，它对披针叶黄华的拜访频率很高，一朵花平均每天受到25次拜访。山本氏切叶蜂在一次拜访中移出一朵花内可获得花粉的70-90%，且一次拜访和多次拜访对花粉的移取率无显著差异;在具有1-5对开裂花药的花间，昆虫对花粉的移取率也无显著差异，说明传粉者对花粉的移取能力很强。其花蜜的分泌模式与花药序次开裂的模式及传粉者的拜访特点相适应。正是传粉者高的拜访频率和强的花粉移取能力使得披针叶黄华采取了序次呈现花粉的策略来增加花粉被散布的机会。 3. 羊柴是毛乌素沙地的一种优势克隆植物，花期较长，开花量大。该种植物是不完全雄性先熟的，P/O比为55 610，花蜜的分泌模式与雌性功能的出现和昆虫的拜访相适应。有14种蜂为其提供传粉，其中意大利蜂、散熊蜂、白脸条蜂、和海切叶蜂是四种主要传粉者。该种植物具有自交异交混和交配系统，但自体受精结实率很低，种子繁殖需依靠传粉者提供授粉，传粉者的拜访行为能导致频繁的同株异花传粉。 4. 羊柴植株具有短时间大量开花的特点，但相邻不同斑块的开花时间差异很大，早、晚开花的斑块较少，大多数斑块一致在开花季节中期开花。这种斑块水平上开花的不同步能影响传粉者的种类组成和拜访频率，在整个开花季节内，传粉者的种类逐渐减少，并且早开花的斑块比那些中期开花的有更高的传粉者拜访频率,说明大量中期开花的斑块间存在传粉者竞争。在早开花的斑块中，传粉者的拜访频率与花展示的大小成显著正相关，说明大量开花能增加花展示对传粉者的吸引。但在中期开花的斑块中，随着开花量的持续增加，传粉者拜访减少。与中期开花的斑块相比，早、晚开花的斑块有更高的结实率。斑块水平上植株的结实率与羊柴的盖度、植株密度和重要值等种群统计学参数无显著相关，并且植株的大小和花展示的大小对开花时间与结实率的关系没有影响。由此可知，羊柴在斑块水平上大量开花和不同步开花共存的开花模式可能是对吸引传粉者和减少植株间对传粉者竞争的一种折衷。 5. 生长于毛乌素沙地的这三种主要蜜源植物的花期几乎不重叠，均具有泛化传粉系统，在花期内出现的大多数蜂类都可为披针叶黄华和羊柴提供传粉，比较特殊的是角蒿具有昆虫和风联合传粉的泛化传粉系统。三种植物都是自交亲和的，具有混合交配系统。这可能与沙地环境中蜂类的物种多样性较低，且其数量在时间和空间上变化很大有关。

Biochemical composition of zooplankton from the northern Arabian Sea

Zooplankton standing crop and proximate principals were estimated for 8 coastal and 13 oceanic stations of the northern Arabian Sea during March 1991. Biomass did not show any significant difference (p < 0.05) between coastal and oceanic waters. Protein was the principal biochemical component among proximate principals with an average value of 29.6% in coastal and 34.2% in the oceanic zone, suggesting that protein form a major metabolic reserve. Other components such as lipids and carbohydrate seem to be low in tropical zooplankton. The organic carbon and caloric density did not show significant correlation. Average caloric density was 2.5 k.cal super(-1). The average standing stock was 9.25 mg m super(-3) and 5.90 mg m super(-3) for coastal and oceanic water, respectively. Coastal region is more productive than oceanic region in terms of standing crop, as expected.

横断山特有植物区系的物种多样性与生物地理学研究

前人对横断山区特有植物的宏生态学研究已有一定的资料积累，对横断山区在全球生物多样性保护中的关键地位和特有现象已有基本共识：（1）横断山区是全球生物多样性关键地区和生物多样性优先重点保护的热点地区之一；（2）横断山区不仅是中国的三大特有植物分布中心之一，而且是新特有中心和物种分化中心，特有现象的生态成因大于历史成因。横断山区种子植物种类丰富，且具有较高的特有现象，其中既有古特有成分也有新特有成分但更多的是新特有成分。但目前，关于横断山区特有现象与生态特征、特有种分布与物种丰富度、特有种丰富度与海拔梯度以及植被的关系等仍缺乏深入的研究。针对上述问题，本论文初步研究了横断山区（1）特有种的生活型、种子散布方式、传粉方式和繁育系统等生态特征，各生态特征之间的相关关系，以及它们的进化地位；（2）特有种的水平分布格局及环境成因；和（3）特有种和生态特征沿海拔梯度的变化规律。主要结论如下： 1．横断山区含特有植物2396个分类群（包括种、亚种和变种），隶属于372属90科。特有类群在372个属中的分布非常不均匀，约一半的特有类群（50.2%）集中分布在较少的属中（占总属数的6%），含特有类群的属大小差异很大，重要的大属是：马先蒿属、乌头属、杜鹃花属、翠雀属、紫堇属、虎耳草属、报春花属、小檗属、黄芪属、凤毛菊属、蚤缀属、橐吾属、龙胆属、景天属、柳属、苔草属、香茶菜属、凤仙花属、紫菀属、鼠尾草属和蝇子草属等，这些属多以横断山为分布和分化中心，为新特有成分。另外，地面芽植物和隐芽植物等占有绝对优势，而矮高位芽植物、高位芽植物、地面芽植物等占有较低的比例，反映了该特有区系的高山、亚高山植物区系特点，但又不乏与热带植物区系的渊源。与世界其它高山地区相比，该特有区系中的地面芽植物、隐芽植物和一年生植物有较高的比例。 2．草本、风力散布种子、昆虫传粉和两性花等为该特有植物区系的优势生态特征。除传粉方式和生活型间无明显的相互作用外，其它生态特征间都存在明显的正相关关系。定量化研究结果表明该特有区系特有种的传粉方式进化可塑性很小，处于保守（或原始）的进化地位。相反，种子散布方式和繁育系统的进化可塑性较大，处于衍生（或进化）的进化地位，是不同种系在历史发育过程中不同阶段的产物。生活型的进化地位在种间有较大的分异，具较小或较大可塑性的各占有一定的比例，因此生活型中既保留处于保守（或原始）的进化地位也有处于衍生（或进化）的进化地位，两种进化状态的生活型在该特有区系中并存，该特征不但是种系在进化早期决定的，同时也是不同种系在进化过程中获得的。 3． 特有种的分布不均匀，较高比例的特有种局限分布在较少的几个地区，北纬28-29°线是特有种丰富度重要的南北分界线。聚类分析结果表明其分布可以划分为3个物种聚集群：（1）北纬28-29°以北、北纬34°以南的藏东川西北物种聚集群；（2）北纬28-29°以南、北纬26°以北的藏东南—滇西北—川西南物种聚集群；和（3）北纬26°以南、北纬25°以北的滇西北物种聚集群。其中，藏东南—滇西北—川西南物种聚集群特有种丰富度最高，是横断山区特有种分布的核心区；滇西北物种聚集群特有种丰富度最低，藏东川西北物种聚集群特有种丰富度居中。藏东南—滇西北—川西南物种聚集群之所以特有种类丰富很有可能与该小区具有高的物种丰富度和落叶阔叶林、常绿/落叶针叶林的分布有密切的联系。在区域尺度上，横断山区总物种的分布中心与特有中心存在分异。尽管两者都处于北纬28-29°以南、北纬26°以北的藏东南—滇西北—川西南小区，但特有中心具有较小的分布范围，而总物种的丰富度中心分布范围较大。因此，我们推测特有分布中心不但与落叶阔叶林和常绿/落叶针叶林有密切的联系，而且也与物种丰富度有关。特有种与植被类型尤其是与常绿阔叶林和落叶阔叶林的关系研究对揭示特有现象的发生、性质和特点有一定的意义，有关研究尚需进一步开展。此外，海拔高差、区系物种丰富度、地理位置和单元面积为特有种丰富度地理分布的总体变异提供了74.7%的解释。 4．研究地区的南缘和东南缘有高比例的木本特有植物，而草本特有植物的比例相对最低，反映出该横断山区南缘的特有植物与热带植物区系的渊源关系，其成分多为一些古老的特有成分；而高比例和较高比例的草本特有植物在研究地区普遍存在，包括研究区域南、北的大部分地区，显然草本特有植物是横断山的优势特有成分。这种以草本特有植物为特征的高山、亚高山特有植物区系有别于我国其它两大特有植物分布中心。该特有中心的成因的最终解释还需要从物种形成（speciation）、灭绝（extinction）和扩散（biogeographic dispersal）——这三个直接影响一个地区物种数量变化的过程来考虑。 5．特有种丰富度沿海拔梯度呈“单峰” 变化曲线，在中海拔段达到峰值。与中国特有种、世界广布种相比，特有种的峰值最高，最适海拔分布范围最窄。特有率随海拔上升而逐渐增高，但在海拔5000-5500 m左右突然上升，在海拔6000 m左右达到最高值。说明（1）物种分布区和丰富度存在着正相关，即特有种具有小的分布区，而广布种的分布区较大；（2）特有率的线性变化规律反映了物种丰富度和特有现象之间的关系，即物种丰富度最大峰值以上海拔段物种数量减少，但特有率增加，说明了该特有区系的高海拔性质。 6．特有种沿海拔梯度表现出大小明显不同的物种聚集群，可能与横断山区的山地垂直气候及相应的植被类型有关。在2600-4600 m海拔段特有种数量最多，这可能与该海拔段分布着落叶阔叶林和常绿/落叶针叶林有密切的联系。特有植物沿海拔梯度可分为四个不同海拔段的物种聚集群：（1）200-1000 m；（2）1000-2600 m； （3）2600-4600 m；和（4）4600-6400 m。在对应海拔段依次分布着干热河谷稀树灌草丛、常绿阔叶林、落叶阔叶林和常绿/落叶针叶林、高山流石滩稀疏植丛。其中，分布在2600-4600 m海拔段的物种丰富度最高，1000-2600 m海拔段的物种丰富度次之，200-1000 m、4600-6400 m两个海拔段物种丰富度较低。 7．特有区系中占优势的生态特征包括草本、风力散布种子、虫媒传粉、两性花和克隆性等对海拔梯度的适应也呈“单峰” 变化曲线，但该主要特征与次要的生态特征（木本、动物散布种子、风媒传粉、单性花和非克隆性）相比，均具有较高的海拔峰值和较窄的最适分布范围，反映了主要生态特征对中、高海拔的适应特点。主要的生态特征与次要的生态特征并存构成了横断山区特有区系的基本生态特征。

Preliminary observations on the effect of a. c. current on Catla catla and Ophicephalus punctatus

In order to evolve suitable electrical fishing gear for inland waters, preliminary experiments have been conducted to observe effect of a. c. currents on Catla catla at voltages of 30, 90 and 120, pH 7.3 and 8.4, temperature 48°F, 78°F and 105°F, distance between electrodes 25 cm, 50 cm and 75 cm, size range of fish 100 mm, to 235 mm. Apparatus used was a 5 kw; a. c. 60 cycles generator with resistance control. Larger sizes of fish were more prone to electric shock. Higher temperature increases the intensity of the shock, while variation of pH between 7.3 to 8.4 did not materially affect the intensity of the shock. Fishing with a mixed population of Catla catla and Ophicephalus punctatus gave a greater percentage of mortality for the latter.

Effect of submerged aquatic vegetation on growth and survival of Penaeus monodon (Fab.)

An experiment was conducted in brackish water ponds with transplanted aquatic weed (Najas sp.) to study the effect of submerged aquatic vegetation on culture of Penaeus monodon. Out of six ponds three were without any aquatic vegetation (T1) while in other three ponds weeds were planted covering 40% of the pond bottom (T2). Hatchery produced post larva of P. monodon (0.006 g) were stocked in all ponds at a density of 40,000/ha. Shrimps were fed twice daily with commercial and formulated feed prepared from locally available ingredients. After 105 days of rearing shrimp of highest average weight (63.18g) was obtained from T2 with a survival rate of 25.90% and the total production was obtained at 654.54 kg/ha. The average weight, survival and total production of shrimp in T1 were 35.0 g, 28.76% and 405.63 kg/ha, respectively.

Field application of anabolic steroids in carp seed production. II. Rearing of spawn to fry stage.

Two synthetic androgenic steroids, Ethylestrenol (17 β - Hydroxy - 17 α ethyl - estr - 4 - en - 3 - one) and Stanozolal (17 β - Hydroxy- 17 α - methyl - 5 a - androstano - 3, 2 - C - pyrazole) were fed via diet at 3 ppm to the spawn of Rohu and Mrigal which were reared up to fry stage over a period of 15 days in earthen carp nurseries. Both hormones enhanced growth of spawn. A maximum of 25.78% increase in length and 25.69% increase in weight as compared to the controls has been recorded. Growth rate was recorded to be 0.8 mm & 2.48 mg/day (control), and 1.13 mm & 2.67 mg/day (Stanozolol treated) in case of Mrigal spawn; and 0.91 mm & 2.39 mg/day (control), 1.12 mm & 2.90 mg/day (Ethylestrenol treated), and 1.10 mm & 2.57 mg/day (Stanozolol treated) in case of Rohu spawn. A decrease in the values of Relative Condition Factor upon hormone administration was also noticed.

Brackish-water fishery resources

Ceylon has about 300,000 acres of coastal brackish-water areas of which about 100,000 acres constitute shallow lagoons, tidal flats, mangrove swamps and saline marshes, and the rest deeper lagoons and estuaries. While the former represent a vast potential resource with regard to fish farming, the latter are the sites of important fisheries. W. H. Schuster (1951) estimated the average natural production of Ceylon’s brackish waters to be less than 20 lbs. per acre per annum. Since then estimates have been made by the author for a rich lagoon, the Negombo lagoon, a poorly productive lagoon, the Ratgama lake (Dodanduwa) and studies are in progress of some of the other lagoons. The natural production of the Ratgama lake was estimated in 1959 to be 18.5 lbs. per acre per annum while that of Negombo lagoon was estimated in 1960 to be 65 lbs. per acre per annum. It is reasonable to estimate the average production of Ceylon's brackish-waters to be 25 lbs. per acre per annum. Thus the total production is about 3,350 tons per annum. Considering the fact that the island's present total production is 90,000 tons per annum, the brackish-waters contribute 3.7% of it. Schuster (1951) further states that the natural production in the brackish-waters of other countries is around 80 lbs. per acre per annum. In order to increase our average natural production to this value it would seem necessary to consider the nature, biology and fish resources of the brackish-waters and draw some conclusions with regard to their proper exploitation.

番茄种子萌发的高温耐性诱导及其生理效应

番茄（Lycopersicon esculentum Miller）原产于南美西部高原地带，适应原产地赤道附近高地干燥冷凉的气候特点，不耐高温多湿，种子萌发期间对高温非常敏感。本研究以佳粉17番茄种子为材料，试图寻找诱导番茄种子萌发期间高温耐性的方法，并通过研究高温耐性被诱导前后种子内部发生的生理生化变化，探索番茄种子萌发期间不耐高温以及高温耐性诱导的机理。试验结果显示： 25 ℃是种子萌发的最适温度，种子发芽率为97.5%。高温抑制种子的萌发，33 ℃和35 ℃条件下萌发率分别为58.5%和8.5%。 萌发适宜温度预吸胀、低温预吸胀、吸湿-回干预处理可提高番茄种子萌发期间的高温耐性，而水杨酸处理则没有明显效果。种子经25 ℃预吸胀30 h、0 ℃预吸胀10 h、吸湿-回干预处理后在33 ℃条件下的萌发率分别为81.5%、78.0%、90%，在35 ℃下的萌发率分别达到33.5%、42%、48.5%。经以上处理后，种子萌发速率提高，萌发高峰期提前，幼苗生长健壮，根干重增加，活力指数变大。 番茄种子萌发期间遭受高温危害时，电解质渗漏增加，相对电导率升高；脂膜过氧化作用加剧，其产物MDA的含量增加。经萌发适宜温度预吸胀、低温预吸胀、吸湿-回干等方法预处理后，高温伤害减轻，膜的完整性增强，电解质渗漏减缓，膜脂过氧化作用减弱，因而相对电导率降低，MDA含量减少。 高温抑制了抗氧化酶的活性，种子内部SOD、APX、CAT、GR等抗氧化酶活性降低。经萌发适宜温度预吸胀、低温预吸胀、吸湿-回干等方法预处理以后，抗氧化酶活性有不同程度的提高，清除细胞内超氧阴离子自由基的能力增强，因而使过氧化伤害减弱， 适宜温度预吸胀、低温预吸胀、吸湿-回干等预处理方法在保护生物膜的同时，增强抗氧化作用，抑制过氧化伤害，从而提高了番茄种子萌发的高温耐性，这是番茄种子高温耐性提高的生理机制之一。

Relatorio do cruzeiro realizado no Banco de Sofala pelo arrastao Muleve em Julho-Agosto/1979

In July-August 1979 a first survey of Sofala Bank was carried out with shallow water prawn resources as the main objective. Some preliminary conclusions on the circulation in the Sofala Bank and the influence of the Zambezi River in this area were drawn. Analysis of catch rates and distribution of the different prawn species resulted in the division of Sofala Bank in 6 areas. Particular importance is given to the species Penaeus indicus and Metapenaeus monoceros which constitute 70-90% of catches in depths less than 25 m. The greatest concentrations of P. indicus are found very close to the shore, principally in an area north of Quelimane and another south of Angoche. At the time of the survey 40% of females of this species were in late maturing stages. The species M. monoceros is most abundant in depths greater than 15 m, with concentrations south of Zambezi River and in small areas near Pebane and Angoche.

The fishing centres of Lake Niassa (Mozambique): results of a frame survey made in June 1983

Results of the first frame survey of the fishing centres on the Mozambican coast of Lake Niassa, held in June 1983, are presented. A total of 41 fishing centres were detected in the area and visited. Through direct enquiries in each centre, an estimated number of 3,380 fishermen and 1,230 fishing boats (of which 25 motorized) was established. The results also provided information on the types and quantities of fishing gear used. A first estimation of the approximate total annual catch in the area gave a figure in the order of 9,100 tons., of which approximately equals 90% is landed during the rainy season. The survey is a part of a research programme on the fishing resources of Lake Niassa and of a project for the collection and organization of fisheries statistics from the artisanal fisheries of the Mozambican side of Lake Niassa.

The flexoelectric behaviour of a hypertwisted chiral nematic liquid crystal

The flexoelectric behaviour of a hypertwisted chiral nematic bimesogenic liquid crystal is presented. Through detailed electro-optic measurements, with particular emphasis on the switching properties, we demonstrate remarkably high optical axis tilt angles. The material studied possessed a room temperature nematic phase and aligned easily on cooling under the application of a moderate electric field. Switching times of the order of 500 μs and contrast ratios of 90:1 are readily achieved. The tilt angles, measured using the rotating analyser technique, were found to be practically temperature independent and linear with the applied field. Tilt angles of 22.5° were obtained with moderate applied fields of 9.4 V/μm whilst fields of 25 V/μm yielded tilt angles of 45°. We believe these are the highest tilt angles ever recorded for such fields. © 2001 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Gordon and Breach Science Publishers imprint, a member of the Taylor & Francis Group.

Report of the marine work at Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, California during the six-week period from June 25 to August 5, 1938

The primary objective in doing this work was to become acquainted with as many forms as possible of the marine fauna of the intertidal zone and if possible to determine some of the environmental relationships which exist in as many different types of habitats as possible. Due to limited amount of time spent in this study no very intensive work could be done and only a general survey was made of the more conspicuous forms of life which were encountered. Most of the work consisted of collecting and observing animals in the tide pools during periods of low tides. The animals collected were then taken to the laboratory and observed and determined as to species. Notes were taken as to place, time, and situation under which the animals were found. As many different types of habitats as possible were visited which included rocky intertidal areas of Mussel Point, Point Pinos, Lighthouse Point, Pescadero Point and Carmel Point just east of Carmel Beach. Sandy beaches were visited at Monterey Beach, Carmel Beach and Asilomar Beach. A marine estuary habitat was visited at Elkhorn Slough. More than two hundred species were identified and observed during this six-week period. A rather hasty population study was made of the eelgrass, Phyllospadix, of the intertidal zone at Mussel Point and of an algae, Gigartina caniculata, which grows at the level just above the eelgrass.