1006 Transactions of the American Institute. 



Spontaneous Motion of Protoplasm. 

 Prof. J. B. Schnetzler, in liis observations on the spontaneous 

 motion of the protoplasm in the cells of the leaves of the common 

 water-weed, Anacharis alsinastrum, recently published, expresses 

 the opinion that the principal cause which provokes the motion is the 

 chemical action of oxjgen, which passes throuf^h the wall of the cell, 

 and of which a portion is probably transformed into ozone under the 

 influence of light, as occurs also in the globules. The currents thus 

 produced are influenced by the highest refracted rays of light, and 

 also, probably, by electricity formed under the influence of water 

 between the surface of the leaf and the contents of the cells. 



Vegetable Pakasites. 

 In a paper read before the Illinois State Microscopical Society, 

 Dr. I^. S. Davis says : " It is a fact worthy of note that, up to the 

 present time, vegetable parasites have been found only in connection 

 with diseases of such structures as are covered with epithelial cells, 

 like the skin and mucous membrane, or on suppurated surfaces, 

 where the organic cells are undergoing more or less degeneration. This 

 legitimately suggests the question whether all these parisitic forms 

 of matter are not the result of what Erasmus Wilson has styled 

 jpKytiform, degeneration of cells and granules of animal matter? 

 But aside from all such questions of a histological character, the 

 study of parisitic growths in connection with the prevalence of 

 diseases, especially of an epidemic character, is of the highest impor- 

 tance in its bearing on sanitary regulations, and the health of com- 

 munities. In this direction, some things of great importance may be 

 considered as already settled. Whatever may be the differences of 

 opinion among observers in relation to the nature and mode of 

 development of these simple parisitic bodies, found in connection 

 with epidemic and some endemic diseases, all agree that their produc- 

 tion and rapid multiplication are directly dependent on the coexist- 

 ence of three things, viz. : Organic matter capable of undei'going 

 degeneration or decay, moisture, and a temperature generall}' above 60* 

 Falirenheit. If, with these, we have coincidently the exclusion of sun- 

 light, we have the condition most favorable to all vegetable parasitic 

 formations. If the co-operation of these causes will generate a 

 cliolera fungus in the valley of the Ganges, we see no reason why 

 they will not do the same in the valley of the Mississippi, or in 

 Chicngo, But whether the cholera fungus is generated here or 



