Preliminary note on a differential staining of the cytoplasm of 
Characeae 
Romyn HITCHCOCK 
The observations here recorded were made principally on two 
species of Nitella, but they are believed to apply generally for 
plants of this family. Perhaps the means of differential staining 
of living cell contents will find useful application in the study of 
other plants, but thus far my attention has been confined to the 
charas. Although it is my intention to continue observations in 
this direction, this should not deter others from work on the same 
lines. The field opened for investigation by this means is large 
and of much interest. 
It has long been known that the peripheral layer of cytoplasm 
in a developed internodal cell of Chara is relatively dense and 
viscous, while that within is notably thinner. By the use of 
neutral red the cell contents of a Chara plant may be differentially 
stained while the plant is living. The color is readily taken up 
from a dilute solution. An elongated internodal cell thus stained 
shows the cyclosis more clearly and beautifully than in the natural 
condition. Observing such a stained cell there is seen a large 
central cylinder of a pronounced cardinal red or wine color, 
bordered on either side with a narrow line of green. 
Within the colored cylinder, or vacuole, are numerous sus- 
pended granules, vesicles and spherical elements of various kinds, 
the nature of which is, for the most part, undetermined. Some 
of these are deeply colored and can be more advantageously 
studied than in the natural state. Indeed, they take the stain 
before the vacuole shows a general coloration. Probably these 
various structures have never before been so clearly seen and 
under such favorable conditions for study. 
The borders appear green because the light passes through the 
marginal chloroplasts regularly arranged next to the cellulose wall. 
But through this green sheen may be clearly seen the outer layer 
: 375 
