Chap. XV. THEIR POWER OP ABSORPTION. 349 



of the twenty-five short hairs contained some globules. This 

 piece was then immersed for 2 hrs. in a solution of one part of 

 carbonate of ammonia to 109 of water, and now the glands of 

 the twenty-five shorter hairs, with two or three exceptions, con- 

 tained either one large or from two to five smaller spherical 

 masses of semi-solid matter. Three of the glands of the nine long 

 hairs likewise included similar masses. In a few hairs there 

 were also globules in the cells immediately beneath the glands. 

 Looking to all thirty-four hairs, there could be no doubt that 

 the glands had absorbed some of the carbonate. Another piece 

 was left for only 1 hr. in the same solution, and aggregated 

 matter appeared in all the glands. My son Francis examined 

 some glands of the longer hairs, which contained little masses 

 of matter, before they were immersed in any solution ; and 

 these masses slowly changed their forms, so that no doubt they 

 consisted of protoplasm. He then irrigated these hairs for 1 hr. 

 15 m., whilst under the microscope, with a solution of one part of 

 the carbonate to 218 of water ; the glands were not perceptibly 

 affected, nor could this have been expected, as their contents were 

 already aggregated. But in the cells of the pedicels numerous, 

 almost colourless, spheres of matter appeared, which changed 

 their forms and slowly coalesced ; the appearance of the cells 

 being thus totally changed at successive intervals of time. 



The glands on a young flower-stem, after having been left 

 for 2 hrs. 45 m. in a strong solution of one part of the carbonate 

 to 109 of water, contained an abundance of aggregated masses, 

 but whether generated by the action of the salt, I do not 

 know. This piece was again placed in the solution, so that 

 it was immersed altogether for 6 hrs. 15 m., and now there was 

 a great change ; for almost all the sjjherical masses within 

 the gland-cells had disappeared, being replaced by granular 

 matter of a darker brown. The experiment was thrice re- 

 peated with nearly the same result. On one occasion the piece 

 was left immersed for 8 hrs. 30 m., and though almost all the 

 spherical masses were changed into the brown granular matter, 

 a few still remained. If the spherical masses of aggregated 

 matter had been originally produced merely by some chemical 

 or physical action, it seems strange that a somewhat longer 

 immersion in the same solution should so completely alter 

 their character. But as the masses which slowly and 

 spontaneously changed their forms must have consisted of 

 living protoplasm, there is nothing surprising in its being 

 injured or killed, and its appearance wholly changed by long 

 immersion in so strong a solution of the carbonate as that 



