156 CORRESPONDENCE. 



further, it is still quite achromatic, and performs as a dry or non- 

 immersion objective in a highly satisfactory manner — of course, with 

 suitable adjustment in each case.* 



I am, Sir, yours obediently, 



F, H. Wenham. 



Are the Glandular Bodies described by Professor Bennett 



REALLY beneath THE CuTICLE ? 

 To the Editor of the ' Monthly Microscopical Journal.'' 



Oatlands Villa, Harrogate, January 12, 1S7G. 



Dear Sir, — I am ignorant of your regulations respecting the 

 papers published in the ' M. M. J.,' but, if it be allowed, I should 

 like to make a few remarks on a portion of Mr. Bennett's paper in 

 the January number, with a view to their publication in the next. 



It is there stated that on the leaves of Callitriche verna there are 

 a number of glandular bodies, similar in many respects to those found 

 on the leaves of Drosera and Pinguicula. They are said to be "nearly 

 spherical, and distinctly quadripartite, each division being again filled 

 with a yellowish-brown substance," and to be " entirely concealed 

 beneath the surface," — that is " beneath the ciiticle." 



Now I have often had these bodies under observation, and from 

 what I have seen I am quite convinced that they are above the surface 

 of the leaves, and are indeed epidermal structures. They are foimd 

 not only on the leaves, both floating and submerged, but also on the 

 stem. Many of them are " distinctly quadripartite," but others are as 

 commonly met with in which the number of cells is larger — seven and 

 eight-celled ones being especially frequent. In none of them do I 

 discover any " yellowish-brown substance," even with a ^^th and ^th 

 Hartnack. Their contents have the appearance of ordinary proto- 

 plasm, though some of them seem empty. By focussing downwards, an 

 inner and smaller circle becomes visible, which I take to be the line 

 of union with the epidermis; and my observations seem to show that 

 in some instances the cells separate at the ajiex, so as to form an open- 

 ing into the interior, similar to that seen at the summit of the arche- 

 gonia on the prothalUa of Ferns. 



* It is due to Col. "Woodward to state that T have received a most friendly 

 letter from him disavowing all sympathy with the personalities of some who 

 have written in this controversy, in a non-scientific sfjirit. I liave more than once 

 acknowledged that Mr. ToUes (thongli his interest lay in the construction of 

 object-glasses) has maintained his good humour, and I believe has argued the 

 point with an indefinite idea that he is right. I do not read the American 

 journals, and anything appearing in them concerning myself must remain un- 

 answered. A recent one has been sent to me by a friend, which contains an 

 anonymous letter " from an eminent (so termed) microscopist of England who has 

 written much on the subject to a friend in this country" (America). The person 

 so sheltered to effect a stab in the dark, displays towards myself a petty malignity 

 quite unparalleled, which I trust everyone else has been free from. 



