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rapid rate of multiplication shows.” Besides tins, the plants evolve 
nascent oxygen directly into the surrounding animal protoplasm, 
and thus we have “ foreign chlorophyll performing the respiratory 
function of native htemoglohin.” 
Mr. Geddes sums up these relationships in the following 
remarkable and most graphic sentences : — “ Thus then for a 
vegetable cell no more ideal existence can be imagined, than 
that within the body of an animal coll of sufficient active 
vitality to manure it with carbonic acid and nitrogen waste, 
yet of sufficient transparency to allow of the free entrance 
of the necessary light. And conversely for an animal cell, 
there can he no more ideal existence than to contain a vegetable 
cell, constantly removing its waste products, supplying it with 
oxygen and starch, and being digestible after death 
In short, we have here the relation of the animal and the vegetable 
world reduced to the simplest and closest conceivable form.” 
Mr. Geddes considers the “ nearest analogue to this remarkable 
partnership” is to be found in Lichens, which according to 
Schwendener’s theory, are composed of a Fungus feeding parasiti- 
cally on Algte. It may he worth while then to consider what 
Schwendener’s theory really is. 
The following are Schwendener’s own Avords as quoted by 
Dr. M. C. Cooke in Grevillea: — “As the result of my researches, all 
these growths (Lichens) are not simple plants, not individuals in 
the ordinary sense of the word, they are rather colonies Avliich 
consist of hundreds and thousands of individuals, of which, 
however, one alone plays the master whilst the rest in perpetual 
captivity prepare the nutriment for themselves and their master. 
This master is a Fungus of the class Ascomrjcetes, a parasite Avhich 
is accustomed to live upon others’ work, its slaves are green Algrc, 
which it has sought out, or indeed caught hold of, and compelled 
into its service. It surrounds them, as a Spider its prey, Avith a 
frbroAis net of narroAV meshes, which is gradually converted into an 
impenetrable covering, hut Avhilst the Spider sucks its prey and 
leaves it dead, the Fungus incites the Algaj found in its net to 
more rapid activity, nay, to more vigorous increase.” 
