46 DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA. Cuar. IIL 
it nearly equalled the cell in diameter; and a second sphere 
about half as large as the first, together with a few other 
minute ones, were formed. After 6 hrs. the Suid in which these 
spheres floated was almost colourless. After 8 hrs. 35 m. (always 
reckoning from the time when the solution was first added) four 
new minute spheres had appeared. Next morning, after 22 hrs., 
there were, besides the two large spheres, seven smaller ones, 
floating in absolutely colourless fluid, in which some flocculent 
greenish matter was suspended, 
At the commencement of the process of aggregation, more 
especially in dark red leaves, the contents of the cells often 
present a different appearance, as if the layer of protoplasm 
(primordial utricle) which lines the cells had separated itself 
and shrunk from the walls; an irregularly shaped purple bag 
being thus formed. Other fluids, besides a solution of the car- 
bonate, for instance an infusion of raw meat, produce this same 
effect. But the appearance of the primordial utricle shrinking 
from the walls is certainly false ;* for before giving the solution, 
I saw on several occasions that the walls were lined with colour- 
less flowing protoplasm, and after the bag-like masses were 
formed, the protoplasm was still flowing along the walls in a 
conspicuous manner, even more so than before. It appeared 
indeed as if the stream of protoplasm was strengthened by the 
action of the carbonate, but it was impossible to ascertain 
whether this was really the case. The bag-like masses, when 
once formed, soon begin to glide slowly round the cells, some- 
times sending out projections which separate into little spheres ; 
other spheres appear in the fluid surrounding the bags, and 
these travel much more quickly. That the small spheres are 
separate is often shown by sometimes one and then another 
travelling in advance, and sometimes they revolve round each 
other. I have occasionally seen spheres of this kind proceeding 
up and down the same side of a cell, instead of round it. The 
bag-like masses after a time generally divide into two rounded 
or oval masses, and these undergo the changes shown in figs. 7 
and 8. At other times spheres appear within the bags; and 
these coalesce and separate in an endless cycle of change. 
After leaves have been left for several hours in a solution of 
the carbonate, and complete aggregation has been effected, the 
* With other plants I have caused by a solution of carbonate 
often seen what appears to be a of ammonia, as likewise follows 
true shrinking of the primordial from mechanical injuries. 
utricle from t..e walls of the cells, 
