THE CHLOKOPHYLL APPAEATUS 159 



A process which at first appeared to involve a 

 mechanism resembling that of the chlorophyll apparatus 

 was discovered some years ago by Engelmann. Certain 

 bacteria which contain a purple pigment were found to 

 possess the power of photosynthesis. The pigment was 

 thought to be allied to chlorophyll and to possess the same 

 power of absorbing and utilising the radiant energy of 

 light. Kecent researches make it probable that, like the 

 red seaweeds, these organisms contain a certain amount of 

 chlorophyll, together with the purple pigment. 



Saprophytic and parasitic fungi, which contain no 

 chlorophyll, have no power of photosynthesis. They are 

 compelled to absorb their carbohydrates from the medium 

 in which they grow, and they take them in chiefly in the 

 form of sugar. Parasitic phanerogams depend upon a 

 similar source of supply. 



