( 823 ) 



Hence we see that the Cliloi'ofunii-sohilion 7,^^ lias worked nnla- 

 vourablj on the germination. Evidently the protoplasm has been 

 paralyzed to a certain extent. In the weak chloroform-sol ntion 1 to 

 100000, however, the germination has been promoted. It appears 

 that in this Chloroform-sohition 72 grains have germinated after 1(^ 

 hours, whilst in the same time only 51 grains have germinated of 

 those which were soaked in water. After 28 hours this accelerating 



o 



effect of the Chloroform-solutions is still visible, but by no means 

 so plainly as after 16 lioui's. After 40 hours, as was showji by 

 other experiments, no traces of this favourable effect of Chlorofoi-m 

 were any longer perceptible. 



We shall not add any more of these experiments. It need only he 

 observed that the same results loere obtained if the grains loere alloioed 

 to (.jerminate not on tuater, but in humus. Also in plant-cells there- 

 fore, we are led to think of an increased mobility of the cells, caused 

 by Chloroform ; for without such mobility no division and germination 

 can be conceived. 



It may be expected that also other substances dissolving in fat, 

 will bring about the same phenomenon in plant-cells. We are extending 

 our researches in this direction. It lias already appeared, however, 

 that various factors haxe to be considered. First the rapidity with 

 which the substances dissolving fat, enter the seed and leave it again. 

 Secondly the noxious effect of this substance on the protoplasm. In 

 other words, care should be taken that the amount of the substance 

 dissolving fat, which enters the cells is just sufficient to increase 

 their mobility, but not large enough to impair, seriously at least, 

 the vital functions of the protoplasm. On the other hand it should 

 be contrived that the fat dissolving substance which has penetrated 

 into the cell, does not pass too soon into the water, leaving the cell 

 entirely before it has had time to effect an acceleration. 



We may add that our experiments lend support to the supposition 

 of CzAPEK, that the superficial layer of the protoplasm of plant-cells 

 is of a lipoid nature ^). 



Swnmari/. 



The opinion put forth in the preceding treatise, that the acceleration 

 of phagocytosis by substances dissolving fat, must be attributed to a 

 weakening of the fattv surface with the result that the amoeboid 



1) F. CzAPEK, Ueber die Obertlachenspannung unci den Lipofdgelialt dei- Plasma- 

 haut in lebenden Pflanzenzelien, Ber. d. Dcutschen Botan. Gesellsch. Vol. 28 Dez. 1910, 



