282 GLANDULAR HAIRS: [Cuar. XV. 
hairs, which contained little masses of matter, before they were 
immersed in any solution; and these masses slowly changed their 
forms, so that no doubt they consisted of protoplasm. He then 
irrigated these hairs for 1 hr. 15 m., whilst under the microscope, 
with a solution of one part of the carbonate to 218 of water; the 
glands were not perceptibly affected, nor could this have been expected, 
as their contents were already aggregated. But in the cells of the 
pedicels numerous, almost colourless, spheres of matter appeared, 
which changed their forms and slowly coalesced; the appearance of 
the cells being thus totally changed at successive intervals of time. 
The glands on a young flower-stem, after having been left for 2 hrs. 
45 m. in a strong solution of one part of the carbonate to 109 of water, 
contained an abundance of aggregated masses, but whether generated 
by the action of the salt, Ido not know. This piece was again placed 
in the solution, so that it was immersed altogether for 6 hrs. 15 m., 
and now there was a great change; for almost all the spherical masses 
within the gland-cells had disappeared, being replaced by granular 
matter of a darker brown. The experiment was thrice repeated with 
nearly the same result. On one occasion the piece was left immersed 
for 8 hrs. 80 m., and though almost all the spherical masses were 
changed into the brown granular matter, a few still remained. If the 
spherical masses of aggregated matter had been originally produced 
merely by some chemical or physical action, it seems strange that a 
somewhat longer immersion in the same solution should so completely 
alter their character. But as the masses which slowly and sponta- 
neously changed their forms must have consisted of living protoplasm, 
there is nothing surprising in its being injured or killed, and its 
appearance wholly changed by long immersion in so strong a solution 
of the carbonate as that employed. A solution of this strength 
paralyses all movement in Drosera, but does not kill the protoplasm ; 
a still stronger solution prevents the protoplasm from aggregating into 
the ordinary full-sized globular masses, and these, though they do not 
disintegrate, become granular and opaque. In nearly the same 
manner, too, hot water and certain solutions (for instance, of the salts 
of soda and potash) canse at first an imperfect kind of aggregation in the 
cells of Drosera ; the little masses afterwards breaking ‘up into granular 
or pulpy brown matter. All the foregoing experiments were made on 
tlower-stems, but a piece of a leaf was immersed for 30 m. in a strong 
solution of the carbonate (one part to 109 of water), and little globular 
masses of matter appeared in all the glands, which before contained 
only limpid fluid. 
I made also several experiments on the action of the vapour of the 
carbonate on the glands; but will give only a few cases. The cut end 
of the footstalk of a young leaf was protected with sealing-wax, and was 
then placed under a small bell-glass, with a large pinch of the carbon- 
ate. After 10 m. the glands showed a considerable degree of aggrega- 
tion, and the protoplasm lining the cells of the pedicels was a little 
separated from the walls. Another leaf was left for 50 m. with the 
