468 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
acid fixes the protoplasmic stroma and the other protoplasmic contents 
of the cell. The sections may then be secondarily stained by iodine- 
green or iodine-green and fuchsin. 
Of seven species of Ornithogalum examined, all were found to contain 
elaioplasts. In 0 . umbellatum they appear in the spring within the 
epidermal cells of the ovary, as small strongly refringent globules, 
always lying at one pole of the elongated nucleus. They take no part 
in the division of the nucleus, and multiply by new formation out of the 
cytoplasm. At the time of flowering they have a granular structure, 
and contain numerous cavities ; finally they assume a mulberry-like 
form. In 0 . stachyoides their multiplication has a strong resemblance 
to budding. Similar results were obtained from Albuca altissima and 
species of Funkia. In all the species of Gagea examined the elaioplasts 
were distinguished by a feeble development of the stroma. 
The chemical reactions show that the elaioplasts are identical with 
the so-called oil-drops of tbe chromatophores ; their stroma gives pro- 
teinaceous reactions. They are also morphologically interchangeable 
with the oil-structures of the Hepaticae, the resin- and oil-globules of 
grasses, with those vacuoles the tonoplast of which does not produce 
oily substances, and with tannin-vesicles. 
Proteinaceous Crystalloids.* — Dr. A. Zimmermann gives the results 
of a series of observations on crystalloids of a proteinaceous character 
found in the nucleus, in the chromatophores, and in the cytoplasm or 
cell-sap. Within the nucleus they are very much more common than 
has hitherto been supposed, and vary greatly in size and form. A list 
is given of the species in which they were detected. They are especially 
frequent in the Scrophulariaceee and Oleacese ; while they have not yet 
been detected in the Labiate. They occur in the most various organs, 
and their presence or absence appears to have no relation to the mode of 
life of the species. Within the chromatophores crystalloids occur also 
in the most widely separated families. Only in a few plants were they 
detected outside the protoplasts. 
C2) Other Cell-contents (including- Secretions). 
Localization of Fatty Oils in the Formation of Seeds and Fruits. | 
— In accordance with previous observations on the localization of fatty 
oils in the germination of seeds, M. E. Mesnard finds that, where these 
substances occur in seeds and fruits, they are distributed through all the 
cells. Wherever albuminoid substances are present as reserve-materials 
in the endosperm, they are accompanied by fatty oils ; but the oil may 
frequently occur without any accompanying albuminoid. The oils are 
apparently formed out of the chlorophyllaceous protoplasm of the stems 
and leaves. 
Active Principles of the Papayaceae.:j: — In the species of Papayaceae 
examined ( Carica Papaya , C. condinamarcensis , Vasconcellea quercifolia ), 
M. ' L. Guignard finds — in harmony with the facts observed in the 
* Beitr. z. Morph, u. Phys. d. Pflanzenzelle (Zimmermann), i. (1893) pp. 112-58 
(2 pis. and 2 figs.). Cf this Journal, 1891, p. 362. 
f Bull. Soc. Bot. France, xli. (1894) pp. 114-20. Cf. this Journal, 1893, p. 346. 
X Journ. de Bot. (Morot), viii. (1894) pp. 67-79, 85-92 ; and Comptes Rendus, 
cxviii. (1894) pp. 545-7. Cf. this Journal, ante, p. 218. 
