128 ON THE NATURE AND ACTION OF THE CROTALUS-POISON 



point : after an immersion of 48 hours, the protoplasm within 

 the cells incessantly changes form, and I never saw it on any- 

 other occasion so active. Hence I cannot doubt that this poison 

 is a stimulant to the protoplasm ; and I shall be very curious 

 to find out in your papers whether you have tried its action on 

 the cilia and on the colourless corpuscles of the blood. If the 

 poison does arrest their movement, it will show that there is a 

 profound difference between the protoplasm of animals and of 

 this plant. Therefore if you try any further experiments I hope 

 that you will be so kind as to inform me of the results. I may 

 add that I tried at first 1 gr. to the 5J> as that is my standard 

 strength for all substances. 



" It is certainly very remarkable that the poison should act 

 so differently on the cilia and on the protoplasm of Drosera. 

 After the 48 hours' immersion, T placed the two leaves in water 

 and they partially re-expanded. I thought that the whitened 

 glands were perhaps killed ; but those of one leaf which I tried 

 with carbonate of ammonia absorbed it, and the protoplasm was 

 affected in the usual manner. I am very much surprised at the 

 action of the poison on the viscid secretion from the glands, 

 which it coagulates into threads and bits of membrane, with 

 much granular matter. Have you observed whether the poison 

 affects in any marked manner mucus or other such secretions ? " 



Experiment XXY. 

 Action of Cohra-poison on Muscle. 



June 29th, 1874. — A standard solution of cobra-poison, 

 0'03 gramme to 4'6 c.c. of water, was prepared. 



1.25 P.M. The gastrocnemius of a frog was separated and 

 immersed in this solution in a watch-glass ; it immediately con- 

 tracted considerably. 



1.30. The muscle contracts with current at 11. 



1.45. The muscle has lost its irritability ; does not respond to 

 the strongest current. 



Experiment XXVI. 



At the same time (1.25 p.m.) the gastrocnemius from the 

 other leg of the same frog immersed in water. Did not 



