INVERTEBRATA, CRYPTOGAMIA, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 985 



pumpkin (^Cucurhita maxima). They were invariably found in tlie 

 large cells with thin walls near the carpellary furrows, or near the 

 seeds in the variety known as " Potiron jaune gros." 



M. d'Ai'baumont is of opinion that neither of M. Flahault's 

 hypotheses — that the grains are formed in a young and semi-trans- 

 parent condition of the tissue or at the moment of exjjosure — will 

 apply in the present case ; but that they are actually formed in the 

 dark. In support of this view he cites the fact that he has observed 

 in this situation grains of chlorophyll in an active and not in a dor- 

 mant state, viz. actually in various stages of division, or evidently 

 only just formed in cells which have quite recently divided. He 

 further observed that the cells containing chlorophyll were always 

 situated either in contact with or in close proximity to reservoirs of 

 nutrient substances, and especially to deposits of starch. The grains 

 of chlorojihyll are dissolved in two ways, centrifugally or centri- 

 petally, i. e. either advancing from the centre towards the periphery, 

 or the reverse. 



Chlorophyll in the Leaves of the Canada Vine.* — According to 

 Schnetzler, the red leaves of the Canada vine (Ampelopsis hederacea) 

 still contain chlorojihyll, which is, however, concealed by a red sub- 

 stance soluble in alcohol. Chlorophyllin can be separated from it by 

 means of ether, but is present in very small quantities in jjroportiou 

 to tlie red pigment. This latter is probably a derivative of chloro- 

 phyll, but not identical with it. If potassa is added to the red alco- 

 holic solution, it becomes of a beautiful green colour, but is not 

 fluorescent, by which it is distinguishable from true chlorophyll. 



Absorption of Water by the Leaves of Bulbous Plants.f — From 

 experiments on this subject made on a hyacinth deprived of its dry 

 tunicated coats, the leaves of which, but not the bulb, were plunged 

 in water, M. Mer deduces the following conclusions : — 



The leaves of bulbous plants absorb the water in which they are 

 immersed, so as to bring them to the condition maintained by the 

 bulb in free air. The absorption goes on without there being any need 

 first to diminish their turgidity, simply in consequence of the flow of 

 water caused by the transpiration of the bulb. The current from 

 below upwards (the plant being reversed) is not so strong as it would 

 be in the ojjposite <lirection when the leaves are slightly withered. 

 The renewal of turgidity is therefore due in part to the water derived 

 from the bulb ; it is only from this source that the leaves draw it 

 when the experiment is made under a bell-glass, and when the bulb 

 is still fresh. Tliey do not absorb the external moisture when other- 

 wise sufficiently sup])lied'\vith water. 



Disengagement of Carbonic Acid from the Roots of Plants.^ — 

 In pursuance of his former investigation of this subject, us previously 



• ' Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sci. Nat.,' xvi. (1880) p. 701. Sec ' Bot. Cciitralbl.,' i. 

 (1880) p. <;5."). 



t ' Bull. Soc. Bot. Franco.' xx\i. (1870) xli.-iv. 

 X ll.i.l., xxvii. (1880) p. XVS. 



