ZOOLOGY AND BOTANi', MICROSCOPY, ETC. 477 



ricli in protein, the chromatin-bodies ; its special function is, appa- 

 rently, the new formation of the proteinaceous substance 

 _ Finally, the author proves the existence of nuclei, sometimes 

 singly, sometimes several in a cell, in groups of Thallophytes where 

 they were previously stated not to exist, especially the Basidiomycetes 

 and Ustilagmeae. The Phycochromace^ were found to be destitute 

 01 a nucleus. 



Crystalloids in the Cell-nuclei of Pinguicula and Utricularia * 



—In pursuance of his investigations of the crystalloids of Pinquicula 

 alpma J. Klein has carried them further in this species, as also in 

 F. vulgaris and m Utricularia vulgaris. In Pinguicula the crystalloids 

 are formed in the cell-nuclei of the epidermal cells, especially those 

 of the pedicels of the stalked glands on the lower part of older 

 leaves In these cells the protoplasm is divided into fine branched 

 threads proceeding from the nucleus through the cavity, and manifests 

 a slow motion m which the nucleus also participates. The crystalloids 

 occur also m the cells of the mesophyll, but are more difficult to 

 detect, being mostly concealed by the numerous chlorophyll-grains 

 and m the flowers as well as in the young cells of the glands ' 



As to their form, when in a certain position the crystalloids appear 

 cubical, while the nucleus is spherical. In other positions they have 

 a more or less narrowly rhomboidal or needle shape; whence their 

 true form would appear to be that of thin square plates. They are 

 vei-y minute and seldom single, more often twenty or more in older 

 cells. I he size of the nucleus varies with the size and acre of the 

 cells; its largest diameter attains from 0-016 to 0*024 mm and it 

 may contain from_ ten to twenty crystalloids ; the connected mass of 

 crystalloids has, m some cases, a length of 0-04, and a breadth of 

 0"U12 mm. 



Wlien young, the nucleus is homogeneous, and contains no crys- 

 talloids ; only a small nucleolus; when, at a later period the 

 crystalloids have formed, the nucleolus is no longer directly visible 

 but IS revealed by treatment with certain reagents which dissolve 

 the crystalloids. On treatment with alcoholic solution of iodine 

 the crystalloids disappear, and the nucleus becomes more sharplv 

 defined, and of a yellow colour. Concentrated solution of susar 

 causes the crystalloids to coalesce into a homogeneous mass; sub- 

 sequent addition of concentrated sulphuric acid colours the nucleus 

 a beautiful rose-red, showing that the mass of crystalloids contains 

 proteinaceous substances. 



_ The crystalloids of Pinguicula alpina are somewhat more persistent 

 since occasionally, in older cells, they are not changed by alcoholic 

 solu ion of lodme, concentrated solution of sugar also having various 

 eflects on them. & uo 



In Utricularia vulgaris they present a general similarity to those 

 oi Pinguicula ; but the nucleus is much smaller. They occur in the 

 ""f !i"'\'i^^.°^ *^^ r^^' ^^ *^^ bladders, and in the trichomic structures 

 ot the bladders ; also m the chlorophyll-containing cells of the leaves 



* Bot. Centralhl. i. (18S0) pp. HOl-4 

 Ser. 2.— Vol. I. " o ,- 



