858 
MR. W. GARDINER ON THE CONTINUITY OF THE 
removed from it, and finally of the whole cell mechanism. The passage of protoplasm 
from cell to cell, which numerous observations have showed must occur, can now be 
explained, and the mere fact of the possibility of this taking place increases very 
materially our knowledge as to general mechanics of the vegetable cell. 
Although I am aware of the danger of rushing to conclusions, I cannot but remark 
that when these results—which were foreshadowed by Sachs and Hanstein when 
they discovered the perforation of the sieve-plate—are taken in connexion with those 
of Russow, it appears extremely probable that not only in the parenchymatous cells 
of pulvini, in phloem parenchyma, in endosperm cells, and in the prosenchymatous 
bast-fibres, is continuity established from cell to cell, but that the phenomena is of 
much wider, if not of universal occurrence. 
Finally, I have to acknowledge the many kindnesses I have received during this 
investigation. Of Professor Sachs’ kindness to me it is impossible for me to speak 
sufficiently highly. The mere fact that it was at his suggestion that this work was 
undertaken will show how much I owe him. To my friend and former teacher, 
Dr. S. H. Vines, I am indebted for much valuable advice. Especially must I also 
express my most sincere gratitude to my friend, Dr. D. H. Scott, not only for his 
valuable criticisms and suggestions, but for the many assistances that he has given 
me in every possible way during the whole of this difficult work. 
Note. 
(Added January 12th, 1884.) 
Since the communication of the above I have written two more papers on the same 
subject, viz. : 
1. “On the Continuity of the Protoplasm through the Walls of Vegetable Cells,” 
Proc. Roy. Soc., December 20, 1884, which deals with the confirmation of my 
methods and the further establishing of my results. Since in the endosperm cells of 
BentincJcici Conda-panna the threads can be seen by merely mounting a section in 
dilute glycerine, such a preparation is taken as normal, and can be then compared 
with similar sections, in the preparation of which reagents have been employed. Such 
comparison is in every way satisfactory. 1 have further confirmed the existence of a 
continuity in Dionoea, and have established that in the parenchymatous cells of the 
leaf bases of Aucuba Japonica and Prunus lauro-cerasus distinct threads can be 
made out, crossing the pit-closing membrane. I then make some remarks as to the 
function of the threads. 
2. “ On the Continuity of the Protoplasm through the Walls of Vegetable Cells,” 
Arbeiten des Botanischen Instituts in Wurzburg. Bd. III., Heft I. 
This is a fairly complete paper, embodying all the results I have obtained up to the 
present time. 
