Changes in composition of five different ions in bush beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL. var. Improved Tendergreen) exposed for 40 hours to different experimental conditions were studied by means of emission spectrography. At 24°c newly absorbed Mg and Na tended to remain in roots; P and K tended to be somewhat equally distributed between root and shoot, and Ca tended to be transported to shoots. At 4°C absorbed Na was transported to shoots. The low temperature (cold shock) also caused a large net loss of K from plants including from the shoot. The pattern indicated circulation from shoot to root. To a lesser extent the same occurred for Mg.