402 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



Each consists of two parts, 1st a ball of clear protoplasm ; 2nd an 

 investing cup-like layer of chlorophyll-containing protoplasm (to 

 which the author gives the name of chloroplasm) of a bright green 

 colour. Subdivision of the corpuscles into two, three, and four parts 

 was observed to take place. In Stentor polymorphus, Vaginicola grandis, 

 and Phacus triqueter, P. longicaudis and P. glabra the corpuscles 

 generally resemble those of Paramecium. In Vorticella cMorostigma 

 no corpuscles are present, but the chlorophyll is apparently diffused 

 through the endoplasm. In Euglena viridis the corpuscles are much 

 flattened and are irregular in outline, and in many cases the chloro- 

 phyll appears diffused through the endoplasm ; but the author does 

 not agree with Saville-Kent in considering this to be the normal 

 state, and the chlorophyll-bodies to be due to its splitting up previous 

 to multiple division. 



If the function of the chlorophyll in animals is the same as that 

 ascribed to it in plants by Prof. Pringsheim, the disposition of the 

 chlorophyll in the animal corpuscle is better adapted to shelter the 

 central colourless protoplasm than that of the substance of the cell. 

 So the greater saving of oxidizable material should take place in the 

 corpuscle itself. No trace of starch is to be found in the corpuscles 

 or in the endoplasm. 



Life-history of Clathrulina elegans.* — Sara G. Foulke states 

 that the modes of reproduction of the Heliozoan Clathrulina elegans 

 are four in number, by division, by the instantaneous throwing-off 

 of a small mass of sarcode, by the formation and liberation of 

 minute germs, and by the transformation of the body into flagellate 

 monads. The fourth mode is significant in bringing to light a new 

 phase in the life-history of the Heliozoa. The Clathrulina in which 

 the phenomena were first observed, withdrew its rays, and divided 

 into four parts, as in the ordinary method ; but the sarcode, instead 

 of becoming granular and of a rough surface, grew smoother and 

 more transparent. Then followed a period of quiescence, in this 

 case of five or six hours' duration, although in other instances lasting 

 three days and nights, after which one of the four parts began 

 slowly to emerge from the capsule, a second following a few 

 moments later. While passing through the capsule, these masses 

 of sarcode seemed to be of a thicker consistence than the similar 

 bodies which, in the ordinary method, instantly assume the Actino- 

 phrys form. After both had passed completely through for nearly 

 a minute they lay quiet, gradually elongating meanwhile. Then a 

 tremor became visible at one end, and a short prolongation of the 

 sarcode appeared waving to and fro. This elongated at the same 

 time into a flagellum, the vibrations becoming more rapid, until, at 

 the same moment, both the liberated monads darted away through 

 the water. They were followed for about ten minutes, when both 

 were lost to sight among a mass of sediment, and the fear of mistak- 

 ing one of the common monads for them led the observer to abandon 

 the search. Another monad was followed through various movements, 



* Proc. Acad. Ntit. Sci. Philad., 1884, pp. 17-9. 



