144 The Navdoo Plant 



being probably consumed in the formation of gelatinous 

 substance, and the remnants in the cavity are only coloured 

 yellow by iodine. 



This parenchym passes now internally into that which 

 forms the subsequent gelatinous cord. It consists of cells so 

 closely pressed to each other as to render their structure not 

 readily recognised. Under water, however, they swell 

 instantly, not so under acetic acid. The cells maintain, 

 under the acid, not only their original form, but walls and 

 contents become in a different degree transparent, and there- 

 by suddenly and with marked outlines recognised. The 

 contents of the cells becomes apparently somewhat contracted 

 and shows a strong refractive power. The cell- walls swell a 

 little. These are seen thereby in a direction against the 

 walls compressed, and on places bent into many smaller and 

 larger folds. In the middle of each cell, a granular-mem- 

 branous compressed residue of the former envelope of the 

 cell contents becomes visible. Between this and the cell- 

 wall, which consist of cellulose, the whole place" is equally 

 filled with a solid, transparent substance, in which no 

 distinct stratification was visible. The whole mass is in this 

 state fragile and of a rectangular fracture. If to a dry, thin, 

 transverse section of this a drop of water is brought, a 

 violent endosmosis commences. With rapid velocity the 

 exterior cells are swelling, without exhibiting a stratification 

 or finer structure of the contents of the cells, which becomes 

 equally hyaline. 



The cell-walls emanate instantly and well defined, and 

 their folds and bends are seen laevigated and expanding, 

 until all have assumed an equal roundish form, such as to 

 the formation of the placental cord is necessary. In the 

 interior of each cell remains the remnant of the inner utricle 

 suspended in mucus. Its granular contents are coloured 

 yellow by iodine. 



The cells, when expanded under water, remain several, 

 days unaltered without ejecting any of their contents. They 

 form an elastic, lubricous mass with smooth surface. At last 

 the whole vanishes without residue in water. This cellular 

 tissue expands also in hydrochloric and nitric acid, which 

 dissolve the contents of the cells. Solution of potassa 

 penetrates them but slowly. Oils, concentrated sulphuric 

 acid, ether and alcohol, as well as acetic acid, are imbibed 

 by the dry contents of the cells. In oils it remains unaltered. 

 Sulphuric acid dissolves first the gelatinous substance, which 



