206 THE MEROTOMY OF CILIATED INFUSORIANS. 



(lo) The non-intervention of the micro-nucleus in the vital 

 phenomenon of the plasm is also proved by the fact that it has no 

 influence over the intracellular absorption of the parts of the old 

 nucleus at the time of conjugation. It is only when by its fusion 

 with the congeneric element of another individual thus becoming 

 a truly active nucleus, that it effects the absorption of the old 

 nucleus. This absorption, which has a great analogy with the 

 digestion and assimilation of food, is probably due to a secretion 

 having its seat in the plasm, and which is dependent on the 

 nucleus as in the other secretions of the Protozoa. 



(ii) The fragments which have been separated by artificial 

 division from a Stentor in the state of conjugation are regenerated 

 when the segments of the nucleus which these fragments contain 

 present a clear and homogeneous appearance — a sign of their 

 vitality. In the more advanced stages when these segments 

 appear grey and granular — a sign of their approaching disorgani- 

 sation — regeneration does not take place, but the fragments con- 

 taining them degenerate and die. But these fragments regain the 

 power of regeneration when the new nucleus makes its appearance 

 in the plasm and exercises its functions as an active element, as 

 previously described. 



Prof. Balbiani is of the opinion that the physiological influence 

 of conjugation is clearly shown by these experiments. 



It is related by the British Consul at Cadiz, Spain, in illustra- 

 tion of the perfection with which natural wine can be imitated by 

 modern chemical methods, that he and a friend, visiting one of the 

 native sherry cellars there, were given two samples of wine to 

 drink, which seemed to be almost identical ; and when told that 

 one was a natural product, and very costly (250 dols., equal to 

 ;^5o, a bottle), while the other was a manufactured product, the 

 market price of which was only a few cents a bottle. In making 

 the imitation, the natural product is first analysed, and the chemist, 

 ascertaining the exact nature of its constituent parts, is able to 

 combine them, and thus nearly reproduce the original compound. 



