for 24 hrs. in water, the aggregated masses in many of the cells were
re-dissolved, in the same manner as occurs with leaves in a state of
nature when they re-expand after having caught insects.
In a leaf which had been left for 22 hrs. in a solution of one part of
the carbonate to 292 of water, some spheres of protoplasm (formed by
the self-division of a bag-like mass) were gently pressed beneath a
covering glass, and then examined under a high power. They were now
distinctly divided by well-defined radiating fissures, or were broken
up into separate fragments with sharp edges; and they were solid to the
centre. In the larger broken spheres the central part was more opaque,
darker-coloured, and less brittle than the exterior; the latter alone
being in some cases penetrated by the fissures. In many of the spheres
the line of separation between the outer and inner parts was tolerably
well defined. The outer parts were of exactly the same very pale purple
tint, as that of the last formed smaller spheres; and these latter did
not include any darker central core.
From these several facts we may conclude that when vigorous
dark-coloured leaves are subjected to the action of carbonate of [page
48] ammonia, the fluid within the cells of the tentacles often
aggregates exteriorly into coherent viscid matter, forming a kind of
bag. Small spheres sometimes appear within this bag, and the whole
generally soon divides into two or more spheres, which repeatedly
coalesce and redivide. After a longer or shorter time the granules in
the colourless layer of protoplasm, which flows round the walls, are
drawn to and unite with the larger spheres, or form small independent
spheres; these latter being of a much paler colour, and more brittle
than the first aggregated masses. After the granules of protoplasm have
been thus attracted, the layer of flowing protoplasm can no longer be
distinguished, though a current of limpid fluid still flows round the
walls.
If a leaf is immersed in a very strong, almost concentrated, solution
of carbonate of ammonia, the glands are instantly blackened, and they
secrete copiously; but no movement of the tentacles ensues. Two leaves
thus treated became after 1 hr. flaccid, and seemed killed; all the
cells in their tentacles contained spheres of protoplasm, but these
were small and discoloured. Two other leaves were placed in a solution
not quite so strong, and there was well-marked aggregation in 30 m.
42