ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
407 
BOTANY. 
A. GENERAL, including 1 the Anatomy and Physiology 
of the Phanerogamia. 
a. Anatomy. 
CD Cell-structure and Protoplasm. 
Independence of the Nucleus and the Cytoplasm.* — From ex- 
periments made on the staminal hairs of Tradescantia virginica and on 
animal leucocytes, Dr. J. Demoor argues that the functions of the nucleus 
and of the protoplasm (cytoplasm) are independent of one another. 
Mitosis can proceed in a cell where the protoplasm has become im- 
mobile, the nucleus continuing to manifest an activity after the cytoplasm 
has ceased to be active. It is possible for the nucleus to carry on an 
anaerobic existence. The formation of a new cell-wall in the process of 
cell-division requires the intervention of the cytoplasm. 
Karyokinesis.f — Mr. L. B. Elliott recommends, as affording good 
examples of the karyokinetic figures in the division of the nucleus, the 
young cells of the terminal pinna) and of the sporanges in BotrycJiium 
virginianum. 
Structure of the Cell-wall. J — Referring to his previous observations 
on the presence of pectic substances in the cell-wall, M. L. Mangin 
criticizes in several respects the statements of Gilson, § especially his 
description of the median lamella of the cell-wall as being of an 
unknown chemical composition, whereas the author has shown that it is 
composed of insoluble pectates. He also objects to the use of the term 
hemi-cellulose, because it implies, for the substances included in it, a 
relationship with cellulose which has not been established ; and also 
because the definition of it given by Gilson would include all the reserve 
carbohydrates of the cell-wall. 
Growth of the Cell-wall. j] — Dr. A. Zimmermann adduces arguments 
in contravention of the theory of Wortmann,^ that the growth of the 
cell-wall takes place mainly by tension and by apposition, and in favour 
of the view that intussusception plays an important part in the phe- 
nomenon. The displacement of the molecules of cell-wall which takes 
place during its growth must be largely the result of turgidity. 
Development of Elaioplasts in the Liliaeeae.** — M. M. Raciborski 
recommends for the demonstration of these structures the use of a dilute 
tincture of alkanna in 1 per cent, acetic or formic acid. In from one to 
five minutes the elaioplasts are stained a beautiful red, while the dilute 
* Bull. Soc. Beige Microscopie, xx. (1894) pp. 36-40. 
f Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist. State Univ. Iowa, ii. (1893) pp. 175-7. 
i Bull. Soc. Bot. France, xl. (1894) pp. 273-80. Cf. this Journal, ante , p. 75. 
§ Cf. this Journal, ante, p. 215. 
|| Beitr. z. Morph, u. Phys. d. Pflanzenzelle (Zimmermann), i. (1893) pp. 159-84. 
Cf. this Journal, 1889, p. 548. 
** Anz. Akad. Wiss. Krakau, 1893, pp. 259-71. See Bot. Centralbl., lvii. (1894) 
p. 305. Cf. this Journal, ante, p. 76. 
