46 DROSEEA EOTUNDIFOLIA. Chap. III. 



it nearly equalled the cell in diameter ; and a second sphere 

 about half as large as the first, together with a few other 

 minute ones, were formed. After 6 hrs. the fluid in which these 

 spheres floated was almost colourless. After 8 hrs. 35 m. (always 

 reckoning from the time when the solution ^yas first added) four 

 new minute spheres had appeared. Next morning, after 22 hrs., 

 there were, besides the two large spheres, seven smaller ones, 

 floating in absolutely colourless fluid, in which some flocculent 

 greenish matter was suspended. 



At the commencement of the process of aggregation, more 

 especially in dark red leaves, the contents of the cells often 

 present a different appearance, as if the layer of protoplasm 

 (primordial utricle) which lines the cells had separated itself 

 and shrunk from the walls ; an irregularly shaped purple bag 

 being thus formed. Other fluids, besides a solution of the cai^ 

 bonate, for instance an infusion of raw meat, produce this same 

 effect. But the appearance of the primordial utricle shrinking 

 from the walls is certainly false ; * for before giving the solution, 

 I saw on several occasions that the walls were lined with colour- 

 less flowing protoplasm, and after the bag-like masses were 

 formed, the protoplasm was still flowing along the walls in a 

 conspicuous manner, even more so than before. It appeared 

 indeed as if the stream of protoplasm was strengthened by the 

 action of the carbonate, but it was impossible to ascertain 

 whether this was really the case. The bag-like masses, when 

 once formed, soon begin to glide slowly round the cells, some- 

 times sending out projections which separate into little spheres ; 

 other spheres appear in the fluid surrounding the bags, and 

 these travel much more quickly. That the small spheres are 

 separate is often shown by sometimes one and then another 

 travelling in advance, and sometimes they revolve round each 

 other. I have occasionally seen spheres of this kind proceeding 

 up and down the same side of a cell, instead of round it. The 

 bag-like masses after a time generally divide into two rounded 

 or oval masses, and these undergo the changes shown in figs. 7 

 and 8. At other times spheres appear within the bags; and 

 these coalesce and separate in an endless cycle of change. 



After leaves have been left for several hours in a solution of 

 the carbonate, and complete aggregation has been effected, the 



* With otlior plants I have caused by a solution of carbonate 



often seen what appears to be a of ammonia, as likewise follows 



true slirinking of tlie i>rimor(lial from mechanical injuries, 

 utricle from the walls of the cells, 



