LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. 191 



deposition takes place rapidly, within a few seconds. Phosphate of 

 ammonia, 4 parts to 1000 of water, caused the same effect, but no 

 reagent was as rapid as the carbonate. The precipitated granules 

 were not observed to be re-dissolved. They were not dissolved by 

 long immersion in alcohol or acetic acid, or washing with sulphuric 

 ether, nor a 10 per cent, solution of common salt, the last being 

 able to dissolve alemone grains. The granules were, however, 

 broken up when heated for a short time in caustic potash ley ; 

 hence the granules are inferred to be of the nature of protein. 

 Analogous results w^ere obtained in two other Euphorbiaceous genera ; 

 but the results were not uniform, nor were they in twelve other genera 

 experimented upon, the Droseracem showing some remarkable 

 results. The main roots of Drosojjhylluni luMtanicum after treat- 

 ment showed one ; or more commonly several masses of brown 

 translucent matter ; the loose cells of the root-cap also had them, 

 a fact worth noting. In the roots of Cijclcunen persicum a great 

 change occurred, green granules making their appearance after 

 treatment with a solution of 7 to 1000 to such an extent as to 

 give a green tint to roots previously brown. Sulphuric ether does 

 not dissolve them, nor discharge their green colour ; whilst acetic 

 acid changes them to dull orange. Most of the root-hairs arose 

 from colourless cells, but some sprung fi"om granule containing 

 cells. The conclusion drawn was that these granules are probably 

 due to excreted matter. No previous writer seems to have sus- 

 pected that root-hairs do not arise indifferently fi-om any of the 

 exterior cells. (2) ' The Influence of Carbonate of Ammonia on 

 Chlorophyll-Bodies.' The phenomena of aggregation is best seen 

 in the tentacles of Drosera when any nitrogenous particle has been 

 placed on it. The purple fluid in the cells becomes turbid, then 

 granules are seen, which soon coalesce and grow larger ; later, 

 these large masses send out processes in a curious manner, until 

 one or two spheres are formed which remain motionless. Proto- 

 plasmic waves may then be seen ; granules withdrawn from them are 

 absorbed by the masses in the centre . After a few days the solid aggre- 

 gated masses are re-dissolved, the process commencing at the base 

 of the tentacle working upward, — that is, in direct oj^position to 

 the in-aggregation. The whole process is a vital one. Chlorophyll 

 consists of modified protoplasm ; the grains not only change their 

 position and shape, but divide. In DioiuBa mnscipula the cells of 

 each leaf filled with chlorophyll change in colour permanently 

 when an insect nas been caught. A thin leaf was immersed for 

 twenty-four hours in a solution of carbonate of ammonia, 7 to 1000, 

 and sections were made and examined. The cells near the margin 

 of the leaf did not exhibit a single chlorophyll-grain, but had 

 instead masses of transparent yellowish green matter of various 

 shapes. Hence it seems that carbonate of ammonia first acts on 

 the cell-sap, producing a granular deiDosit of a brownish colour, 

 and that this tends to aggregate into balls ; afterwards the grains 

 of chlorophyll are acted on, and become completely confluent, or 

 breaking up into fine granules. Experiments were also made by 

 administermg an infusion of raw meat to plants, in Nepenthes, 



