370 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [November 



The density of the quiescent Plasmodium is very high, possess- 

 ing a maximum viscosity value of 8, and at times approaching the 

 consistency of a gel, but not possessing the firmness of a rigid gel, 

 for the protoplasmic mass of a quiescent Myxomycete is poorly 

 resilient, although quite tough and elastic, and often possessed of 

 a somewhat plastic quality, in this respect closely resembling 

 bread dough. One prominent characteristic of Myxomycete 

 protoplasm is that it is extremely glutinous. This is in striking 

 contrast with marine ova, the protoplasm of which is not noticeably 

 mucilaginous. As a Myxomycete prepares to fruit, the proto- 

 plasm increases in viscosity, until it becomes of gel consistency. 



Very frequently a tear in a highly viscous, inert plasmodial 

 mass will cause the formation, of a rapidly enlarging protrusion. 

 The liquid which flows into and increases the size of such a globule 

 is a granule-free, hyaline substance, to all appearances identical 

 with the peripheral hyaloplasm, but its origin is not peripheral, 

 for this flow of translucent fluid has its source within the proto- 

 plasmic mass. Such behavior seems to favor Leydig's conception 

 of the structure of protoplasm, namely, a framework of spongio- 

 plasm permeated by a more liquid hyaloplasm (enchylema). By 

 the use of pressure Reinke and Rodewald (4) obtained 66 per 

 cent of fluid enchylema from the plasmodium of Aethalium. The 

 nature of this exuded liquid substance from a plasmodium cannot 

 be stated with certainty. It appears to be the matrix in which 

 the protoplasmic granules are imbedded, or, more accurately, the 

 enchylema (interstitial substance), since the protoplasm is in the 

 gel state and probably of sponge structure. 







Amoeba 



In many respects Amoeba closely resembles the slime molds. 

 Both organisms have periods of motility and non-motility. The 

 former period is characterized by protoplasmic streaming and 

 the formation of pseudopodia, and by a rather liquid condition of 

 the protoplasm; the latter, by protoplasm that is quiescent and 

 more viscous. Both types of organisms are also differentiated into 

 three more or less distinct regions, namely, the inner less viscous 



