The French Geographical Expedition to Thule, 1950-51: A Preliminary Report

Summarized results of author's expedition to northwest Greenland, July 1950-July 1951. With base at Siorapaluk, 125 mi north of Thule, winter sledge trips were made to collect demographic, economic and social data on the Eskimos. Author counted 302 Polar Eskimos in ten different settlements. Genealogies were traced. Birth and death rates are discussed; also effects on Eskimo society of contact with white men and possibility of successful integration. In spring, geomorphic expedition was made around Kane Basin. Most significant geomorphic factor appears to be extreme aridity. No intense wind erosion occurs. Glacial erosion was limited, and present frost action is weak. Water erosion in summer produces steep slopes which undergo parallel recession. Present processes seem insufficient to account for present landscape

Morphological and agronomical characteristics of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) palms produced from in vitro cultured zygotic embryos

In this study, we compared the evolution of morphological and agronomical characteristics of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) palms produced from in vitro cultured embryos and from seeds over an 8-yr period. At the end of the second year after planting, the height and root collar diameter of plants originating from in vitro cultured embryos were significantly lower than those originating from seeds. However, palms from both categories had the same number of leaves. When palms originating from in vitro plantlets and from seeds were observed later in their development, they were similar for most morphological characteristics measured, except for minor differences in inflorescence morphology, which were still present 8 yr after planting. The flowering pattern, bunch, and fruit production were similar between the two categories of palms. These results indicate that in vitro culture of zygotic embryos does not adversely affect further development of palms in natural conditions