Wenham, on the Vegetable Cell. 
7 
readily be mistaken for a mass of primary cell formation 
Fig. 7 is the first formation of a linear leaf of the Anethum 
Foeniculum^ bearing much resemblance to fig. 2. 
Having shown the analogy between the primitive cell for- 
mation of the Anacharis and non-aquatic plants, I will now 
trace the cell in its progressive stages of development, referring 
from fig. 2. Fig. 8 represents the Anacharis cells in a more 
advanced condition. A general longitudinal extension has 
taken place throughout the mass, and something like a definite 
line of cell formation becomes apparent. The cavities contain 
an increased number of starch nuclei, and are now lined with 
a distinct wall or membrane, but still, from the thickness of 
the intermediate substance, the whole structure resembles a 
number of irregular vesicles or bags, imbedded in proto- 
plasm. 
If at this period of growth a portion of the leaflet be sub- 
jected to the test of alcohol, the cellulose membrane lining 
each cavity will separate, and shrink together upon the cell 
contents. This has probably been mistaken for the so termed 
primordial utricle ; but however this may be, it is, in fact, 
from first to last, the true cell wall, and is not dissolved or 
absorbed in any subsequent state of the cell's existence. It 
thus appears that a bud, instead of starting at first from a 
single cell, as some have imagined, derives its origin from the 
simultaneous development of a group of some hundreds. The 
number of cavities in the primary nodule do not exactly cor- 
respond with the number to be contained in the perfect leaf, 
for wherever there is an accumulated bulk of protoplasm, a 
space is sure to be formed within it subsequently ; new cells 
are thus continually in the course of formation. 
On considering fig. 2 it will become evident that if an 
uniform distension of the mass should take place, the great 
disproportion in the bulk of adjoining cavities would create a 
system of cells, of such monstrous difference in size and 
length, as to set all symmetry at defiance (well illustrated by 
the extension of an india-rubber model). The manner in 
which this difficulty is obviated, and regularity obtained at 
last, is both simple and beautiful. Fig. 9 represents a series 
of cells in a more advanced stage of growth. The walls are 
yet soft, and much exceed their destined and final limits of 
thickness. At this period cyclosis may be distinctly seen in 
each cell, all of which now contain protoplasm within their 
walls. In those cells that are exceedingly elongated, and dis- 
proportionate in size, the protoplasm accumulates in the 
middle, and forms a thick septum across, as shown at a, a, 
thus dividing the cell into two. On both sides of the septum 
