100 



TEA]S^SACTI0IS'S OF THE ILLDJOIS 



thickened spiral lines, or tracings, which seem to start near the base, as they ascend, 

 diverge to near the sides of the cell, then return and cross each other below the center 

 and then pass around and above the central point or nucleus, then returning a part 

 of the way by a course similar to that in their ascent, when they are lost to view. 

 These minute microscopic lines or tracings, in the interior of this second class o 

 cells, are believed to be the channel through which the circulation is maintained. 



Each of these last described cells is, in fact, really a distinct plant of the unicellular 

 type, that is a plant consisting of a single cell, each little cell containing within its 

 membraneous covering the laboratory necessary to the production of other similar 

 plants. That this is so, may be known by an examination of them. At the end 

 opposite the one by which the plant is attached may be seen several small, thin dots, 

 and on some of these cells will be seen a small globe of jeUy-like substance. (See 

 fig. No. 4.) 



This small globe as it first appears is just discernible under a high power. Strange 

 as it may appear, this small nearly transparent globe of mucilage is really the germ of 

 a new plant, as may be deteiTnined by examining other cells or plants, on some of 

 which several of these little globular forms will be found to be much enlarged. Some 

 of the new cells will show the small rayed nucleus or center, on others half grown 

 cell plants, and on others those of larger growth, to full grown plants. All these 

 young cells, as soon as they are fully grown, or soon after, separate from the mother 

 cell, when they in turn produce other cells in the way we have described. When 

 these one-celled plants, or small pieces of them, or the -spores find a lodgment in the 



