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sometimes double and parallel, and at other times double and 
in opposite directions, or again seemingly wound close and 
tight round the cylinder. They are well seen in the spherical 
swellings or beads, but are prominent at the points of stran- 
gulations of long ovals formed when the ends of the fibres 
are held tightly. They collect in a close mass, forming a 
ligature, and are frequently ruptured, the ends projecting from 
the side of the fibre. 
The cellulose is enormously dilated by the weaker solvent, 
and expands the external membrane into beautiful beads, 
which are doubtless the result of the spiral vessels acting as 
ligatures at the points of strangulation ; at the open end of a 
fibre it can be seen oozing out as a mucilaginous substance, 
The stronger solution bursts the beads, or dissolves all the 
cellulose into a homogeneous mass, amidst which the empty 
cuticular membrane and the spiral vessels remain nearly 
unacted upon. 
The substance called medullary matter is seen occupying 
the axes of the fibres ; it is nearly insoluble in the solvents. 
It may be well seen projecting from the open end of a fibre 
where the cellulose is exuding, and often remains in situ when 
the fibre has quite disappeared. It has many appearances of 
being a distinct body, but the author in some cases thought 
it might be only the thickened or modified inner cell wall ; 
in others it looked like a shrunk membrane, probably the 
dried up primordial utricle. It is generally absent or indis- 
tinct in old cotton, or cotton which has been submitted to 
bleaching agents. 
Mr. O’Neill intends to submit further details when his 
investigations are more advanced. 
Mr. ITf.pworth stated that he had observed spiral mark- 
ings in Sea Island Cotton, not subjected to Chemical Action, 
and that he had calculated there would be about 50,000 
spirals to an inch of fibre. 
