152 Ellinor Archer: 



High-power examination with an oil immersion lens did not 

 reveal any structure in these granules. The sections were tested 

 with iodine for starch, but the granules gave a negative reaction. 

 They were probably proteid in character, as similar granules which 

 have been proved to be proteid have been found in other plants. 

 Further investigation is needed to make sure of this. 



Sections of normal lucerne, which were subjected to the same 

 embedding and staining processes, showed no trace of the granules, 

 but here again more work must be done before the evidence is 

 entirely satisfactory. 



Staining with gentian-violet showed the cortical cells, abnormal 

 ■stem and bracteate leaves to be densely packed with small, rod-like 

 structures. These did not stain themselves, but showed clearly in 

 the coloured protoplasm. They could be seen to he actually em- 

 iDedded in the protoplasm of the cell, and were not in the cell sap. 



These gave a good positive reaction with chlorozine iodine, and 

 a faint blue with strong solution of iodine in potassium iodide, 

 which proves them to be an unusual form of young starch grains, 

 or ones in which the cellulosic basis is more prominent than the 

 granulose. They were especially numerous in sections of leaves 

 from the abnormal plant. 



Gram's special staining method to indicate the presence of 

 bacteria in cells gave a negative result. 



Cultui^e Solutions. 



The only growth which could be definitely traced as originating 

 irom the lucerne was the fungus Macrosporium, and this was found 

 to develop from both specimens. 



Very careful examination of the dried material showed the pre- 

 sence of macrosporium hyphae on the bracts themselves. 



As macrosporium is usually a superficial fungus, and as it has 

 been proved that there is no endophytic fungus present, it is very 

 •unlikely that it is the primary cause of the malformation. 



Cause of Malformation. 



As far as the investigation has gone at present it Avould be impos- 

 sible to state definitely the cause of the abnormality, but it is 

 possible to exclude some factors which might have affected the plant. 



1. The malformation does not appear due to parasitic fungi. 



2. There is no indication of the presence of destructive 



