224 Miscellaneous. 



On the Intercellular Matter and the Vessels of the Latex in the 

 Root of the Dandelion. By Dr. A. Vogel. 



The back of the root of the Dandelion is traversed by a great 

 number of lactiferous vessels containing a very abundant bluish- 

 white milk. These vessels form a great number of larger or smaller 

 bundles disposed in a tolerably regular concentric manner, and 

 united to each other by numerous ramifications. The ramifications 

 are always parallel to the surface of the root, so that the bundles 

 form concentric sheaths independent of each other. The outermost 

 peridermic layer of the bark, however, is destitute of lactiferous 

 vessels, which exist chiefly in the inner portion. The cellular paren- 

 chyma of these two parts of the bark contains a great quantity of 

 intercellular matters, especially in the vicinity of the lactiferous vessels. 



According to the author, the lactiferous vessels originate by the 

 union of conductive cells (Leitzellen), of which the adjacent septa 

 become gradually converted into pectose, and finally disappear. He 

 has detected many intermediate stages, which leave him no doubt as 

 to this mode of formation of the vessels. According to him, the 

 lateral walls of these same cells likewise finally become converted 

 into pectose ; so that the fully developed lactiferous vessels are not 

 formed by a cellulose membrane. 



It was by observing the action of iodized liquids, acids, and alka- 

 lies upon the substance forming the envelope of the lactiferous ves- 

 sels, that Dr. Vogel was led to regard it as cellulose in progress of 

 conversion into pectose. He arrived at the same results by setting 

 the same reagents in action upon the intercellular matter of the 

 Dandelion-root, which he also regards as pectose produced by the 

 gradual transformation of the membrane of cells. — Bericht Akad, 

 Wiss. in Wien; Bibl. Univ. 186*5, Bull. Sci. p. 239. 



On the Structure of the Luminous Organs in the Male of Lampyris 

 splendidula. By M. Schultze. 



The author has found that the numerous branches of the tracheae 

 in the luminous organs of Lampyris splendidula terminate each in a 

 small cell of stellate form. Under the action of osmic acid these 

 cells rapidly acquire a black tinge, whilst the cells of the parenchyma 

 remain uncoloured. These cells therefore readily reduce the osmic 

 acid by absorbing its oxygen ; and the author attributes to them an 

 important part in the production of the phenomenon of phosphores- 

 cence by this insect. — Sitzung der Niederrhein. Ges.fiir Natur- und 

 Heilkunde zu Bonn, 1864 ; Bibl. Univ. 1865, Bull. Sci. p. 232. 



De Jeude's Collection of Mollusca. 



The fine collection of Mollusca formed by the late Prof. Lithe de 

 Jeude, for many years Professor of Zoology in the University of 

 Utrecht, has been purchased by Mr. Damon (of Weymouth). The 

 collection, rich in the rare shells of the Moluccas, was displayed in 

 1 10 glass cabinets, and formed one of the chief scientific attractions 

 in the city of Utrecht. 



