'ICnlL. jirS"'] Jottings hy a Student of Heterogemj. 2 5 



V. — Jottings hy a Student of Heterogemj. 

 By Metcalfe Johnson, M.E.C.S. 

 No. II. 

 Musing on the banks of a rivulet, we naturally ask ourselves the 

 question, " Where, whence, and whither ? " The stream alone can 

 tell us, and in its ever-shifting ripples we see the image of the 

 changing face of science. 



The object of these jottings is to develope by record of experi- 

 ment and observation some of the ripples on the great stream of 

 scientific research which may tend to show its " Where, whence, 

 and whither." 



The observations in the following fresh records have been made 

 by a power of from 250 to 300 diameters. 



Of the existence of Monas Lens as an early form of protoplasm, 

 whence many of the subsequent developments arise, evidence is 

 shown in the experiments, March 5th, 1868, and May 25th, 1868; 

 also in the observations on the birth of Monas in the first page of 

 " Jottings," No. I., page 99, M. M. J., August, 1869 ; and in " Obser- 

 vation," April 28th, 1868, page 104, M. M. J. 



Nov. 1st, 1869. — In Vaucheria Clavata saw a tubule bursting, and 

 chloropliyll escaping, which consisted of transparent bodies (Monas V) 

 having free spontaneous movement. 



The single bodies transparent, the larger masses green. 



Oct. 11th, 1866. — Six white glass bottles filled with water from an 

 air-sieve had each three drops of a solution of Potassic Permanganate 

 put into it, and showed, decolorization (when compared with distilled 

 water) varying as the quantity of organic matter contained. The same 

 water examined by the microscope revealed varying quantities of Monas 

 Lens. Those in which decolorization was greatest showing the largest 

 number of monads. 



The following experiment, commenced July 21st, 1869, may be 

 of interest : — 



A piece of lint, placed in a Woulfe's bottle, long enough to syphon 

 out the water, which was frequently renewed. Exposed to air. A drop 

 of the water was subjected to the microscope with the following 

 results : — 



July 22nd. — A few minute oblong bodies, visible only by reflected 

 light. 



July 23rd — One or two starch cells. One Gonidium, and numerous 

 small spots, some of which seem to change position very slightly. 



July 26th. — No moving life. 

 „ 28th. — Large numbers of minute dots visible only by reflected 

 light. Spontaneous movement evident (not currents). 



Aug. 6th. — Undoubted monads. 

 ,, 12th — Monads undoubted. Syphon has been dry some time. 

 „ 22nd. — No movements in monads. Several round and oval, 

 green Gonidia. 



