- g - 



So far as concerns this latter, I have sought to study if,* this body, 

 having for its location the epidermal cell and containing tannin, has not 

 the function of protecting the organs in which it is found, from the ravages 

 of snails (as supposed by Stahl regarding some plants containir^ tannic sub- 

 stances) , but the results which I obtained were completely negative. Moreover, 

 the snails would eat without iama.-e to themselves the leaves of Eria stellata 

 and the floral axes of Coelogyne cristata which were given them. 



Conclusions. 



In Eria stellata and on Coelogyne cristata there was revealed the 

 presence of a body which up to that time had not been described by any pre- 

 vious author. It forms by neoformation from the protoplasm and shows re- 

 actions of the proteinaceous substances and also those of tannic nature. 

 It does not disappear during the life of the cell in which it is found. It 

 is not used as an organ of defense against the ravages of snails. 



Tlhat biologic action it may have I do not now know. 



Botanical Institute of Pavia, October, I9II' 



