398 PROF. NORDENSKIOLD, EXPEDITION TO GREENLAND. 



If these daughter-cells originate in the division of the spores, the 

 above-mentioned supposition with respect to the systematic place 

 of the species being correct, '^the stage ofi conjugation and spores, 

 in some period of its development, ought to be found. Two rare 

 forms of peculiarly constructed cells ought not to be passed un- 

 noticed. I have sometimes found the extreme cell in a thread 

 considerably more swelled than the others, more elliptic in form, 

 also provided with a thicker membrane, and with the con- 

 tents of the cell more coarse-grained. I once found one of the 

 middle cells in a thread thus transformed, and on two occasions I 

 have met with single cells of the same kind. I also once met with 

 a cell of very peculiar construction. It had the usual form, but 

 was unusually large, with a long mass of chlorophyll, as usual, in 

 the midst, and the granular matter grouped rather towards the ends 

 of the^ cell ; and in it there were about twenty larger or smaller 

 spherical bodies. Four of these lay arranged at each end of the 

 cell, and were almost entirely opaque, of a dark-brown colour, and 

 in appearance much resembled the smaller cells of Protococcus 

 nivalis. The others were translucent, with sharply defined con- 

 tours. As our knowledge of the nature of these bodies is confined 

 to what is here stated, the fuller explanation of their significance 

 must be reserved for future investigation. 



" In places similar to those in which this species occurs, and 

 often in company with it, Protococcus nivalis was met with. 



" Amidst the fine gravel upon the ice, but to a trifling amount, 

 there are small green cells, sometimes united in little groups, some- 

 times isolated, which appeared to belong to Protococcus vulgaris. 



" Scytomena gracile, on the other hand, is everywhere met with 

 in great profusion, wherever the gravel either lies in thinly 

 scattered grains on the surface of the ice, or forms more or less 

 thick layers. The threads lie either alone, or united in small 

 bunches, as they join together at the lower part, and bend back- 

 wards higher up. They are neither stiff", S-shaped, or forming a 

 curve of several undulations, and yellowish-brown in colour. 

 Their length is very various ; their breadth generally about 0*009 

 mm." 



At our mid-day rest on the 21st we had reached latitude 68° 21' 

 and 36' longitude east of the place where our tent was pitched, 

 and a height of 1,400 feet above the level of the sea. 



Later in the day, at our afternoon rest, the Greenlanders began 

 to take off" their shoes and examine their little thin feet — a serious 

 indication, as we soon perceived. Isak presently informed us, in 

 broken Danish, that he and his companion now considered it time 

 to return. All attempts to persuade them to accompany us 

 a little farther failed ; and we had, therefore, no other alternative 

 than to let them return, and continue our excursion without 

 them. 



We took up our night quarters here. The provisions were 

 divided. The Greenlanders, considering they might, perhaps, 

 not be able to find our first depot, were allowed to take as 

 much as was necessary to enable them to reach the tent. AVo 

 took cold provisions for five days. The remainder, together 



