THE CHLOROPHYLL APPARATUS 



147 



As already stated, many botanists consider the protoplasm 

 to be arranged in a network, whose meshes are filled with 

 a solution of the pigment. Others consider the protoplasm 

 to be homogeneous, but honeycombed with vacuoles which 

 are filled with the solution of the chlorophyll. Others 

 again think that the pigment forms a layer round the 

 plastic!. By the action of dilute acids, or by treating the 

 chloroplasts with steam, the colouring matter may be made 



FIG. 87. TRANSVERSE SECTION OP PORTION OF AERIAL STEM OF Equisetum. 

 a, cortical lacuna ; b, lacuna in vascular bundle ; c, chlorophyll-containing cells. 



to exude from the framework in viscid drops, leaving the 

 latter colourless. It then appears to have a reticular 

 structure, but how far this condition is brought about by 

 the action of the reagents is uncertain. The chlorophyll, 

 however, is certainly not uniformly diffused through the 

 body of the plastid. 



