=25. Cold retards the movement.=—While the protoplasm is moving,
if we rest the glass slip on a block of ice, the movement will become
slower, or will cease altogether. Then if we warm the slip gently, the
movement becomes normal again. We may now apply here the usual tests
for protoplasm. The result is the same as in the former cases.
=26. Protoplasm occurs in the living parts of all plants.=—In
these plants representing such widely different groups, we find a
substance which is essentially alike in all. Though its arrangement
in the cell or plant body may differ in the different plants or in
different parts of the same plant, its general appearance is the same.
Though in the different plants it presents, while alive, varying
phenomena, as regards mobility, yet when killed and subjected to
well known reagents the reaction is in general identical. Knowing
by the experience of various investigators that protoplasm exhibits
these reactions under given conditions, we have demonstrated to
our satisfaction that we have seen protoplasm in the simple alga,
spirogyra, in the common mould, mucor, in the more complex stonewort,
nitella, and in the cells of tissues of the highest plants.
=27.= By this simple process of induction of these facts
concerning this substance in these different plants, we have learned an
important method in science study. Though these facts and deductions
are well known, the repetition of the methods by which they are
obtained on the part of each student helps to form habits of scientific
carefulness and patience, and trains the mind to logical processes in
the search for knowledge.
=28.= While we have by no means exhausted the study of protoplasm,
we can, from this study, draw certain conclusions as to its occurrence
and appearance in plants. Protoplasm is found in the living and growing
parts of all plants. It is a semi-fluid, or slimy, granular, substance;
in some plants, or parts of plants, the protoplasm exhibits a streaming
or gliding movement of the granules. It is irritable. In the living
condition it resists more or less for some time the absorption of
certain coloring substances. The water may be withdrawn by glycerine.
The protoplasm may be killed by alcohol. When treated with iodine it
becomes a yellowish-brown color.
_Note._ In some plants, like elodea for example, it
has been found that the streaming of the protoplasm is
often induced by some injury or stimulus, while in the
normal condition the protoplasm does not move.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] For apparatus, reagents, collection and preservation of material,
etc., see Appendix.
[2] If spirogyra is forming fruit some of the threads will be lying
parallel in pairs, and connected with short tubes. In some of the cells
there will be found rounded or oval bodies known as _zygospores_. These
may be seen in fig. 86, and will be described in another part of the
book.
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