I made also several experiments on the action of the vapour of the
carbonate on the glands; but will give only a few cases. The cut end of
the footstalk of a young leaf was protected with sealing-wax, and was
then placed under a small bell-glass, with a large pinch of the
carbonate. After 10 m. the glands showed a considerable degree of
aggregation, and the protoplasm lining the cells of the pedicels was a
little separated from the walls. Another leaf was left for 50 m. with
the same result, excepting that the hairs became throughout their whole
length of a brownish colour. In a third leaf, which was exposed for 1
hr. 50 m., there was much aggregated matter in the glands; and some of
the masses showed signs of breaking up into brown granular matter. This
leaf was again placed in the vapour, so that it was exposed altogether
for 5 hrs. 30 m.; and now, though I examined a large number of glands,
aggregated masses were found in only two or three; in all the others,
the masses, which before had been globular, were converted into brown,
opaque, granular matter. We thus see that exposure to the vapour for a
considerable time produces the same effects as long immersion in a
strong solution. In both cases there could hardly be a doubt that the
salt had been absorbed chiefly or exclusively by the glands.
On another occasion bits of damp fibrin, drops of a weak infusion of
raw meat and of water, were left for 24 hrs. on some leaves; the hairs
were then examined, but to my surprise differed in no respect from
others which had not been touched by these fluids. Most of the cells,
however, included hyaline, motionless little spheres, which did not
seem to consist of protoplasm, but, I suppose, of some balsam or
essential oil.
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