CHEMICAL BASIS OF PLANT FORMS 247 



ters is usually the same through whole families, which also re- 

 semble one another in their modes of reproduction. 



In form, the Algae differ greatly from filaments or masses of 

 cells; they live in the water and cover damp surfaces of rocks 

 and wood. In these they are remarkable for their ramifications 

 and colors and grow to a gigantic size. 



The physiological functions of Algae and Fungi depend upon 

 their chemical differences. 



These facts have been offered, simple though they are, as 

 striking examples of chemical and structural opposition. 



The Fungi include very simple organisms, as well as others 

 of tolerably high development, of most varied form, from the 

 simple bacillus and yeast to the truffle, lichens, and mushrooms. 



The cell membrane of this class contains no pure cellulose, 

 but a modification called fungus cellulose. The membrane also 

 contains an amyloid substance, amylomycin. 1 Many of the 

 chemical constituents found in the entire class are given in 

 Die Pflanzenstofje. 2 



Under the SMzomycetes, to which the Micrococcus and Bacte- 

 rium* belong, are found minute organisms differing much in 

 form and in the coloring 4 matters they produce, as that caus- 

 ing the red color of mouldy bread. 



The class of lichens 5 contains a number of different color- 

 ing substances, whose chemical composition has been exam- 

 ined. These substances are found separately in individuals 

 differing in form. In the Polyporus 6 an acid has been found 

 peculiar to it, as in many plants special compounds are found. 

 In the Agaricaceae the different kinds of vellum distinguish be- 

 tween species, and the color of the conidia is also of differential 



1 L. Crie, Compt. Rend., Ixxxviii, 759, 985. J. de Seynes, 820, 1043. 



2 Page 279. 



3 M. Nencki and F. Schaffer. N. Sieher, Jour. Pract. Chem., xxiii, 412. 



4 E. Klein, Quar. Jour. Micros. Science, 1875, 381. O. Helm, Arch. Pharm., 

 1875, 19-24. G. Gugini, Gaz. Chem., 7, 4. W. Thorner, Bui. Ber., xi, 533. 



5 Handbook of Dyeing, by W. Crookes, London, 1874, p. 367. Schunck, 

 Ann. Chem. Pharm., xli, 157; liv, 261; Ixi, 72; Ixi, 64; Ixi, 78. Rochelder 

 and Heldt, ibid., xlviii, 2; xlviii, 9. Stenhouse, ibid., Ixviii, 57; Ixviii, 72; Ixviii, 

 97, 104; cxxv, 353. See also researches of Strecker, O. Hesse, Reymann, 

 Liebermann, Lamparter, Knop and Schnedermann. 



8 Stahlschmidt. 



