TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 535 
Finally the author remarks that the existence of a communication between 
adjacent cells appears to be of very wide, if not of universal occurrence, and he 
briefly touches upon the important bearings this discovery has upon the cells of 
sensitive organs, and upon cell mechanism in general. 
3. On the relations of Protoglasm and Cell-wall in the Vegetable cell, 
By F. O. Bower. 
After tracing the history of this subject, it was concluded that it has now been 
demonstrated with as much certainty as is possible, by the use of micro-chemical 
and staining reagents, that in certain cases, the number of which is now constantly 
being increased, there is a direct connection between the protoplasmic bodies on 
opposite sides of cell-walls, and that this connection is established by means of 
fine strings of protoplasm, which, in the cases observed, run nearly transversely 
through the walls. The question remains whether this is the only mode of per- 
meation of the cell-wall by protoplasm. 
The author cannot accept it as proved as yet, that any further permeation of 
the cell-wall by protoplasm, either as a reticulum or otherwise, really exists, but 
he brought forward certain grounds for regarding such a permeation as possible or 
even probable, taking into account chiefly those phenomena observed in fre cell- 
walls, in order thereby to avoid any confusion with connecting strings, such as 
those already proved to exist. 
1. The strings already observed vary greatly in thickness, from the well-marked 
to those not individually distinguishable. Thus we have evidence of the existence 
of strings, which would probably not have been recognised were it not for com- 
parison with other examples. J*urther, it has been shown by the author's paper 
on plasmolysis, that protoplasm may be drawn out into strings so fine as to defy 
definition, even by high powers of the microscope. Thus there can be no objection 
on the ground of the small size of the hypothetical strings or reticulum. 
2. Those cases in which perforation of cell-walls has been demonstrated, are 
those very cases in which a most efficient physiological connection is required; 
there is no reason why a less obvious permeation should be denied, where the 
requirements are less, but by no means absent. 
3. There is @ priort probability of some form of permeation of cell-wall by 
protoplasm, if Strasburger’s account of the growth of cell-walls be correct. 
4, A strong argument in favour of such permeation is found in the existence of 
important chemical changes in the substance of certain cell-walls at points at a con- 
siderable distance from the main protoplasmic body, e.g. formation of cuticular sub- 
stance, wax, &c., which differ fundamentally from cellulose, are insoluble in water, 
and are apparently formed zm the wall itself. The tendency of recent observations 
is to show more and more clearly how close is the connection of protoplasm with 
the important chemical changes in the plant; thus it appears probable that the 
protoplasm is present in some form or other in such cell-walls. 
Reasons were also given for thinking that the exposure to air is not an impor- 
tant factor in the above changes. 
These-and other considerations show that, though this permeation of the wall 
cannot be accepted as proved as yet in any one case, still the subject deserves more 
close attention than it has yet received, while it may be expected that the 
application of new methods may produce definite results bearing on this very 
important question. : 
4. On the Intercellular Connection of Protoplasts. 
By Professor Witiiam Hitisovuss, B.A., FL.S. 
In this paper the author commences by giving a brief summary of a paper 
published recently by him in the Botanisches Centralblatt, ‘ Einige Beobachtungen 
uber den intercellularen Zusammenhang von Protoplasten,’ in which he had shown 
that, after complete solution of the cell-wall by strong sulphuric acid, and staining 
