THE FISSION PLANTS. 63 



6. In each of two test tubes containing a small quantity 

 of ordinary water place a little of the Oscillaria and set 

 the two tubes in a sunny window, having first wrapped 

 one of them in thick, opaque paper to shut out the light. 

 All conditions are the same for the two tubes except the 

 light. After a day or two examine. What conclusion do 

 you draw as to the necessity of the light for the healthy 

 growth of the plant ? 



7. Place a little Oscillaria in a test tube with ordinary 

 water and set in a window. By its side place some of the 

 Oscillaria in water that has been boiled to expel the car- 

 bon dioxide which is contained in all natural water. 

 From time to time compare the plants in the two tubes. 

 What conclusion do you draw as to the necessity of car- 

 bon dioxide for the healthy growth of the plant? 



References for Reading. Goebel's "Classification of Plants," pp. 

 20-23 ; Vines' " Text-Book of Botany," pp. 231-233 ; Bennett and * 

 Murray's " Cryptogamic Botany," pp. 426-449. 



CLASS II. The Bacteria (Schizomycete*). These plants 

 are also known as Fission Fungi. That the Bacteria belong 

 in this place in the classification admits of serious doubts. 

 To find that they are related to any other group of plants 

 is equally, if not more, difficult. Some authorities place 

 them by themselves as a group of. the Protista, organ- 

 isms that possess characteristics of both plants and ani- 

 mals. Others class them as undoubted Fungi, but they 

 differ too much in their life history from the rest of 

 the Fungi to be treated with them. Resemblances to the 

 Blue-Green Slimes in their modes of reproduction by the 

 transverse division of cells, and in the formation of resting 

 spores to continue their life in time of drought, make it 

 proper that they should be considered in this place. The 

 plant is the sporophyte ; there is no alternation of genera- 

 tions. 



