CILIATED INFUSORIANS. 397 



Balbiani, to be the property of the nucleus. In mono-cellular 

 organisms, all the plasms destined to develop into different organs 

 is undivided in the same nucleus, while in the multi-cellular 

 organisms the different plasms are separated and distributed in the 

 various cells destined to form the different elements. 



The author sees in the nucleus the chief agent for the re-form- 

 ing and regenerating activity of the cell. The protoplasm is also 

 active in merotomy, the nucleus and protoplasm appear to act in 

 unison, the protoplasm possessing the power of internal movements 

 which the nucleus rules by co-ordination, according to the form 

 to be assumed by each organ. 



The life of the cells, says the author, is not exclusively either 

 in the protoplasm or the nucleus, but results from reciprocal rela- 

 tions of the two elements. But what quantity of nuclear matter, 

 he asks, is necessary to produce regeneration ? He concludes 

 that the actual quantity of nucleus makes no difference, and that 

 a single particle acts precisely the same as a much larger quantity. 

 The question then arises, Why are the nuclei of the Ciiiata in 

 chains, and those of Loxodes rosfmm and Opa/ina so numerous ? 

 The author supposes the super-abundance is required for certain 

 secretions, as well as for repairing damaged and missing parts, 

 as described in Dileptus ansei' and Loxodes I'ostrnm. 



Having briefly summarised the work, it only remains for us to 

 add (Z>) the author's general conclusions : — 



I. — Among those ciliated infusorians which may be considered 

 as more important for the physiological study of cells, certain 

 functions are accomplished by protoplasm, and others by the united 

 action of the nucleus and protoplasm. 



2. — l"he chief functions of protoplasm are : — {a) The different 

 forms of motion, ciliary action, the reception and expulsion of food- 

 particles, pulsation of the contractile vesicle, constriction, and 

 other movements of the body, etc. ; {J)) the faculty of directing 

 the body in its various movements. 



3. — The functions accomplished by the united action of proto- 

 plasm and the nucleus are — {a) the various cell secretions, e^g.^ of 

 the cuticle, the acid juice of the alimentary vacuoles, and probably 

 also of the other digestive juices ; {^b) the regeneration, or re-con- 



