A flower-stem, still attached to a plant, was bent (May 29) so as to
remain immersed for 23 hrs. 30 m. in a strong infusion of raw meat. The
colour of the contents of the glands was slightly changed, being now of
a duller and more purple tint than before. The contents also appeared
more aggregated, for the spaces between the little masses of protoplasm
were wider; but this latter result did not follow in some other and
similar experiments. The masses seemed to change their forms more
rapidly than did those in water; so that the cells had a different
appearance every four or five minutes. Elongated masses became in the
course of one or two minutes spherical; and spherical ones drew
themselves out and united with others. Minute masses rapidly increased
in size, and three distinct ones were seen to unite. The movements
were, in short, exactly like those described in the case of Drosera.
The cells of the pedicels were not affected by the infusion; nor were
they in the following experiment.
Another flower-stem was placed in the same manner and for the same
length of time in a solution of one part of nitrate of ammonia to 146
of water (or 3 grs. to 1 oz.), and the glands were discoloured in
exactly the same manner as by the infusion of raw meat.
Another flower-stem was immersed, as before, in a solution of one part
of carbonate of ammonia to 109 of water. The glands, after 1 hr. 30 m.,
were not discoloured, but after 3 hrs. 45 m. most of them had become
dull purple, some of them blackish-
* In the case of Saxifraga tridactylites, Mr. Druce says
(‘Pharmaceutical Journal,’ May 1875) that he examined some dozens of
plants, and in almost every instance remnants of insects adhered to the
leaves. So it is, as I hear from a friend, with this plant in Ireland.
[page 347]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account