34 THE VEGETABLE CELL IN GENERAL. 



144. The principal modifications of the cell-wall are the fol- 

 lowing : 



(1) Partial or complete conversion into mucilage (Gelatina- 

 tion) ; (2) Lignifieation ; (3) Cutinization (or Suberification) ; 

 (4) Mineralization. 



145. All of these, except the first, change the chemical char- 

 acter of the cell-wall only by what ma}' be regarded as infiltra- 

 tion ; upon removal of the infiltrated matter by means of proper 

 agents, the cellulose basis of the wall is left behind with very 

 little if any change. 



/ O 



146. It sometimes happens that one part of the membrane of 

 a cell, or even one of its layers, maj- be modified in one way, and 

 another in another ; it is also possible for the same membrane to 

 undergo two of the changes above mentioned ; namely, Lignifi- 

 eation and Mineralization. 



147. The mucilaginous modification. Commonly the cell-wall is 

 not much changed by immersion in water. It may become more 

 nearly transparent, but its size and density are not essentially 



(3) Soluble in sulphuric add, insoluble in cuprammonia (unless previously 

 acted on by acids or alkalies) ; e. g., the pith, and medullary rays of woods. 



(4) Soluble in concentrated sulphuric acid ; insoluble in cuprammonia, but 

 becoming soluble in this upon previous treatment with Schulze's macerating 

 liquid ; c. g., wood-cells of pine, oak, yew, etc. 



(5) Insoluble in concentrated sulphuric acid and cuprammonia, but soluble 

 in boiling concentrated potassic hydrate; c. g., cuticle, and the outer layer of 

 the membrane of older ducts. 



II. IODINE REACTIONS. 



(1) With iodine and water, a blue color : lichen-filaments, etc. 



(2) With iodine and water, no color ; but giving a blue tint with iodine and 

 a metallic iodide ; or when iodine is followed by sulphuric acid : 



A. Thin-ii-nllcd Parenchyma (which will often turn blue when a pure iodine 

 solution acts with repeated drying), ohlcr Parenchyma, the inner part of thick- 

 ened wood-cells of Pinus and Abies, and the bast-fibres of hemp. 



B. Only when the reagents have been preceded by the application of nitric 

 acid : nil membranes in the interior of the plant, e. g., the outer part of wood- 

 cells and ducts, the brown cells which surround the vascular bundles in 

 ferns, etc. 



C. Only when the reagents have been preceded by the use of boiling potassic 

 hydrate : cork, etc. 



According to Fremy and Urbain, the substances which form the skeleton of 

 plants are principally pectose and derivatives from it, cellulose and its isomers, 

 vasculose, and cutose. These four groups are thus distinguished from one 

 another. 



Pectose acted on by alkaline carbonates is changed into pectic acid, and 



