DR. M. J. SCHLEIDEN ON PHYTOGENESIS. 285 



the entire process of formation, it follows that these small bodies 

 are formed earlier than the cytoblast (Plate XV. figs. 1 and 2), 

 and I would almost suggest the conjecture that they are not en- 

 tirely foreign to the nuclei shown by Fritzsche to exist in starch, 

 and probably even identical with them. The size of this cor- 

 puscle also varies considerably, from the extent of half the dia- 

 meter of the cytoblast to the most minute point, whose size did 

 not allow of measurement, because it was even much exceeded 

 by the thickness of the thread of the diaphragm of the micro- 

 scope. In the albumen o£ Abies excelsa I found it to be on an 

 average from 0-000045— 0*000095 Prussian inch ; in Pimelea 

 drupacea, from 0-00029— 0-0003. Sometimes it appears darker, 

 sometimes brighter than the remaining mass of the cytoblast. 

 In general it has more consistency than the latter, and still con- 

 tinues sharply defined when this has been changed by pressure 

 into an amorphous mucus, as for instance in Pimelea dru- 

 pacea. 



A second point, on which I must make a few observations so 

 as to be able to express myself hereafter more briefly without 

 being unintelligible, relates to the various inorganic substances 

 which occur during the vital process of plants, and belong to 

 the series of amylum and of the woody fibre. I do not at all 

 pretend fully to enumerate in this place all substances chemi- 

 cally distinct ; as little do I require that chemists should ap- 

 prove and adopt all my terms and characteristics (perfection 

 independent of this would at present be an impracticable task) : 

 it is my intention merely to notice in a few words the most im- 

 portant modifications, their consequence and purport in the 

 progress of the development of vegetable organization, in order 

 to spare repetitions in future. 



Starch, in the plant, appears to take the place of animal fat. 

 It is superfluous nutritive substance, Avhich is deposited for 

 future use, and we consequently find it abundant in places where 

 after a short repose a new formative process is to commence, or 

 where a too luxuriant life has originated a superabundance of 

 nutritive matter. It has of late been the subject of such deep 

 research that it is not necessary to enter more fully upon this 

 head: I shall merely refer the reader to the most recent and best 

 summary of the results, in Meyen's Vegetable Physiology, vol. i. 

 J). 190, he. Frequently the place of the starch is occupied by 

 a semi-granular substance, for instance in pollen, in the albu- 



