INVERTEBRATA, CRYPTOGAMIA, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 481 



The hypochlorin is not itself the colouring matter of chlorophyll, 

 but the meustruiun in which the colouring matter is formed. 



Relation of the Intramolecular to the Normal Respiration of 

 Plants.* — In an inaugural dissertation delivered at Wiirzburg, J. 

 "Wortmann explains his grounds for arriving at the following conclu- 

 sions, viz. : — 



1. The immersion of plants for some days in an atmosphere devoid 

 of oxygen does not destroy their life. 



2. Plants killed by boiling water do not give off carbonic acid 

 into vacuum, provided that care is taken that there is no disturbance 

 by bacteria. The elimination of carbonic acid caused by intramole- 

 cular respiration can take place only in connection with living cells. 



3. The gas evolved in intramolecular respiration consists of pure 

 carbonic acid. 



4. The evolution of carbonic acid takes place both in growing 

 and in mature organs ; but is more copious in the former. 



5. When oxygen is given off no growth takes place. 



The whole of the carbonic acid given off in the process of respira- 

 tion is stated by the author to be the product of intramolecular pro- 

 cesses ; the oxygen of the atmosj)here therefore takes no part in the 

 production of carbonic acid. 



The source of this carbonic acid is a process analogous to fermen- 

 tation, induced in the molecules of sugar and other carbohydrates by 

 the molecules of albuminoids which are constantly being decomposed 

 and then regenerated by other carbohydrate molecules ; the result 

 being the production of carbonic acid and alcohol. Particles of 

 alcohol in the nascent condition dissolved in the cell-sap are now 

 oxidized by the free oxygen, and converted into isomers of acetic acid, 

 the molecules of which are again converted into molecules of sugar. 

 The following equations will represent these consecutive changes. 



(1) 3 C„H, A = 6 aHjOH + 6 CO,. 



(2) 6 CHjOH -f 120 = 2 aH.A + 6 H,0. 



Phenomena of Pressure in Stems.f — Dr. J. Boehm has repeated 

 the previous experiments of Pittra in elucidation of the phenomena 

 known as "weeping" and "bleeding," and has arrived at the con- 

 clusion that these processes are not caused, as Pittra believed, by 

 osm(jse, but by gases which ai-e set free in the submerged branches 

 and roots in consequence of internal respiration and of butyric fermen- 

 tation. The circumstance that the bleeding is always suspended in 

 cuttings which, in an atmosphere saturated with vapour, dip into 

 the water oidy at the lower end, and in branches with green bark 

 whicli are completely submerged in water in broad daylight, appears 

 altogetlier opposed to the conclusion that the pressure is caused by 

 osmose. 



Exudations of Drops and Injection in Leaves. :{ — Dr. J. W. 

 Moll gives the fullowiug as the geuerul conclusions arrived at from 

 Lis researches on this subject, viz. : — 



♦ 'liot. Zoit.,' xxxviii. (1«80) p. 25. t llji^l-, !'• '-io- X ^^'^^^■> !'• ■^''>- 



