PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 147 
and their contents gradually acquired the same colour, the 
intensity of which was in proportion to the thickness or density 
of the tissue. Between the cell-walls it would appear that there 
exists an intercellular membrane, devoid of vital action, which 
becomes rapidly coloured whilst the circulation continues active. 
On the inner surface of the cell-wall, whilst rotation is going on, 
the author observed a luminous stratum, suggesting the action 
of cilia; but in every observation, as the dye permeated the 
tissue and the circulation ceased, the inner cell-wall became 
covered with irregular markings, either corrugated or having 
raised excrescences, scarcely alike in any two cells; in no case 
were the markings visible until the rotation had ceased, and they 
had the appearance which would be produced by cilia* falling 
against the cell-wall in all positions upon the suspension of vital 
action. 
The chlorophyll-vesicles appear in three forms—in a gelatinous 
sac or mass, rotating altogether in the cells ; as independent vesi- 
cles, apparently homogeneous in their structure, rendered opaque 
by colouring matter; and lastly, as independent vesicles, some- 
what increased in size, of a pale-green colour, and almost trans- 
parent, containing nuclei, one, two, or three in number, which, 
in reality, appear to be smaller vesicles within the parent, 
similar to Volvox globator, without rotatory motion. The chloro- 
phyli-vesicles appear to resist the action of the magenta for some 
time after the rotation has ceased, indicating a vitality to a 
certain extent at least independent of that in the cell. In some 
of the experiments a few of the cells assumed a purplish colour, 
whilst in the adjoining cells the circulation was active, and the 
chlorophyll green; in those purple cells the chlorophyll appeared 
to be decomposed, and the cell nearly full of very minute dots, 
swarming like the granules in Closteriwm lunula; upon this 
point the author offered no opinion. The observations were 
made with 14th and 1th objectives, and the paper contained 
minutie of several experiments, such as the hours of observation, 
temperature of the room, and other particulars. 
Dr. Roberts observed that Mr. Lynde’s remarks upon. the 
separate vitality of the cell and cell-contents were very suggestive ; 
he had noticed that fresh blood-dises (for instance, from a pricked 
finger) were not immediately affected by magenta, but that time 
was required for the dye to permeate the tissue. 
Mr. Neville exhibited a new form of cell, cut out in card- 
* Eminent microscopists do not entertain the idea that the circulation in 
Vallisneria is due to ciliary action. ‘‘ ‘This appearance is decidedly affirmed 
by Mr.Wenham to be an optical illusion.” (See quotation by Dr. Carpenter, 
‘The Microscope and its Revelations,’ 3rd ed., p. 408, from Dr. Branson 
and Mr. Wenham, ‘ Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science,’ Vol. ILI, 
1858, pp. 274 and 277.) This opinion was possibly formed upon observa- 
tions made during vital action, and may be modified upon examination of 
the (supposed) dead and dying cilia, rendered visible by the action of the 
magenta dye.—Secretary Mic. Section. 
VOL. III.— NEW SER. L 
