HISTOLOGY OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF СОВАТЛАМАСЕХ. 199 
П. Notice of M. Rosanoff's Essay оп the Histology of the Melobesize, so far 
as it concerns this communication. 
In 1866 Rosanoff contributed a paper to the Société des Sciences Naturelles de 
Cherbourg (2° sér. tome xii. pp. 1-112, plates i.-vii.) on the JMelobesie ; and, apparently 
ignorant of Quekett's work, he proved that anatomist to be correct, and advanced much 
beyond him. Аз we do not include the reproduction of those lithophytes in this com- 
munication, it will only be necessary to notice what M. Возапой states regarding the 
vegetative growth, so far as it relates to the Corallines. Не considers that the carbonate 
of lime is in the intercellular spaces, оғ between the longitudinal walls of the cells, in 
the cell-walls, and in the position of the primordial utricle, and that it is arranged 
molecularly in the cellulose of the cell-wall. Не does not find it in a crystalline or 
granular form, but asa thick and more or less perfect layer. He notices the variable amount 
of the carbonate of lime in different species. Оп examining the cell-walls of Welobesie 
he found them (before decaleifying) punctate or granular; and this structure resembled 
parallel lines crossing each other at almost right angles: hence he considers the lime 
to be intimately associated with the cell-wall structure. Не observes that the repro- 
duetive parts are deficient in carbonate of lime; but he does not find that the rapidly 
growing portions of the plants are so deficient in it as might be expected ; nevertheless he 
asserts that the parts deficient in the mineral are the free surfaces of the terminal cells. 
M. Rosanoff shows that the cells of the plant are furnished with pores, one on each 
side of the cell-wall, perpendicular to the direction of growth, and that the pigment, 
starch, and protoplasm of the cells accumulate in their upper and outer parts. He 
explains that although each series of cells is radial, and grows by increase of the 
periphery, there is an increase laterally, and which relates to the shape of the frond. 
This takes place by what Ве calls copulation of cells, and is influenced by the pores in 
contiguous cell-walls. Тһе copulation appears to be an absorption of the cell-walls of 
contiguous cells and a resultant irregular and large cell; and the pores permit of the 
nutrition of the deeper cells, so as to contribute an amount of common nourishment. 
He describes some large cells termed heterocysts. 
M. Rosanoff explains that the Melobesie have a glutinous feel when touched on their 
surface; and in his diagrammatie sketches he places isolated cells on the free surface, 
each being the termination of a series leading deeply down *. 
The Corallinaceze have been the subject of our independent investigation ; and most of 
the work of one of us (Major-General R. J. Nelson, R.E., then Lieut. Nelson, R.E.) 
was done in the Bermudas many years since. The drawings from life were then 
taken. Subsequently one of us working on the subject of the physiology of the Litho- 
phytes, and unknown to the other, had examined the British and some other Corallines 
With care. Hence this joint memoir. 
_* Other writers (who do not offer any thing new) on the histology of the vegetative struetures are Harvey (Brit. 
Marine Alg. pl. 13 С; Phys, Brit. pl. 222), Decaisne (Ann. des Sci. Nat. 2° вёг. xvii. pl. 17. fig. 1, xviii. P- 119; 
The Micrographic Dictionary, 3rd edit.). See also Lamouroux, Bull. Soc, Phil. 1812 and 1816, p. 313; Philippi, in 
Wiegm. Arch. 1837; Kützing, Phyc. Gen. and Spec. Alg. i 
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