CHLOROPHYLL CORPUSCLES 



at times coming to rest. This motion originates in 

 the protoplasm itself in the gelatinous, colorless and 

 transparent lining or contiguous substance next to 

 the denser and inactive cell envelope, between whose 

 own substance and it no sharp dividing line exists, 

 and which carries on in its flow the corpuscles as a 

 running stream does the small pebbles and floating 

 matter in its course. 



Among these bodies the comparatively large chlo- 

 rophyll corpuscles are seen. In view of the impor- 

 tant functions they fulfil, their structure is surpris- 

 ingly simple. So far as we can perceive, they differ 

 but slightly from the mass of the protoplasm that sur- 

 rounds them. Consisting externally of the usual dense 

 plasmodium, their interior is formed of a porous net- 

 work of interlaced tissues, somewhat resembling those 

 of a sponge. The cavities of this colorless, spongy 

 texture contain a green coloring matter dissolved in 

 an oily medium that lines the wall coverings of the 

 almost infinitely small spaces. The green coloring 

 matter is readily soluble in alcohol, ether, and in 

 chloroform, but is precipitated from the alcoholic 

 solution in brown flocculi by the addition of water. 

 When in solution, it is bright green by transmitted 

 light, but appears blood -red by reflected light, and 

 shows strong fluorescence. If a fatty oil is agitated 

 with the alcoholic solution, the green color is taken 

 16 241 



