OF MICRO-ORGANISMS. 37 



Production of starch has also been observed in the 

 colorless Flagellates, as for instance in the Polytoma 

 uvella. These latter do not have chromatophores, but 

 Kiinstler, and after him Fisch, has noticed that every 

 grain of starch is attached to a small mass of colorless 

 protoplasm which is the focus of formation for the 

 grains. This is precisely what happens in vegetable 

 organisms where colorless starch-leucites are found. 

 This little mass of protoplasm always faces the hilum 

 of the starch-grain. 



As the function of the chromatophores is exercised 

 only when subjected to the influence of light, it fol- 

 lows that green Micro-organisms must have light in 

 order to nourish themselves. 



A quite remarkable fact may be adduced in this 

 connection. On examining the kingdom of Protozoans 

 as a whole, it will be seen that a striking coincidence 

 exists between the presence of the eye and the 

 presence of the chlorophyl pigment. Organisms hav- 

 ing an ocular spot are in most cases provided with 

 the chlorophyl pigment, or, in other words, nourish 

 themselves as plants do, by generating starch through 

 the action of light. This fact proves that sensibility 

 to light is in some manner dependent upon the 

 chlorophyl function. If Flagellates possessing chro- 

 matophores, that is organs generating starch, have 

 ocular spots at the same time, it is because these ru- 

 dimentary eyes enable thern to find their way 

 towards the light, which is the necessary agent of 

 chlorophyl action. Accordingly, all Micro-organisms 

 having eyes nourish themselves as plants do. In their 

 case, the, object of the eye is to direct the performance 

 of a vegetable function. 



•It is interesting to note in this connection that the 



