PROPERTIES OF VEGETABLE PROTOPLASM 859 



have seen, by the formation of various osmotically 

 active substances in its interior, which have an attraction 

 for water, the quantity which enters depending upon the 

 nature and amount of such substances present. We have 

 seen already that the regulation of osmotic material is 

 controlled by the protoplasm. But besides this another 

 important factor exists in the greater or less difficulty with 

 which water is enabled to pass through the protoplasmic 

 membranes. The power of altering its permeability by 

 water and so varying the distension of its elastic membranes 

 is a property of protoplasm which is of the highest import- 

 ance in the mechanics of the cell. It takes the place, 

 practically, which is held by the power of contractility in 

 the living substance of animals. No doubt it can be called 

 into play during life under constant conditions, but it 

 becomes much more marked when the plant is subjected to 

 particular kinds of stimulation. A ready instance of its 

 employment under the former conditions is afforded by 

 the variations of turgidity and subsequent growth which 

 we have already spoken of as inducing circumnutation 

 (p. 321). Instances of its following upon stimulation will 

 be discussed more appropriately in a later chapter. 



The facts thus briefly narrated impress upon us the 

 belief that all protoplasm is the seat of active molecular 

 movement, the intensity or vigour of which, as well as the 

 forms of its manifestations, varies very greatly in different 

 cases. Indeed, the life of the protoplasm is intimately 

 bound up with such a motile condition. The manifesta- 

 tions are in all cases appropriate to the manner of life and 

 the surroundings of the organism under observation ; they 

 may take the form of locomotion, of contractility, or of 

 variation of permeability, leading to the regulation of 

 turgescence. 



If we look back to the behaviour of the contractile 

 vacuole of Chlamydomonas, we are struck by the fact that 

 its pulsations occur with a certain definite intermittence so 

 long as they are not interfered with by external conditions. 



