THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
261
extent on the behaviour of the viscid secretion. If the inherited tendency of the
protoplasm to round itself off after division predominated, the two portions
became free and unicellular ; but if the viscid secretion became rigid at an early
stage and overcame the tendency to round off, then a multicellular plant resulted.
By degrees, as plants became multicellular, the individuality of the component
cells was lost; differentiation took place, resulting in such highly complex and
specialized structures as epidermis, scent glands, pollen-grains, etc. To corroborate
or refute the above idea, towards which present research seems to point as an
important factor in the evolution of the vegetable kingdom, it is necessary that
the fresh-water algae, which abound everywhere, and can be kept alive for a long
time in aquaria or even bottles, should be subjected to a rigorous examination.
Among the points to be determined are—(a) the presence or absence of the
external sheath or viscid layer ; (b) its exact composition ; (c) the effect of varied
conditions as to temperature, quality of water, and light, on the production
and behaviour of the sheath. Such observations, however apparently without
result, could not but tend to elucidate eventually the origin of multicellular
plants.
Parasitism and Mutualism: their respective influences.—The novel discovery
recently made by Kamienski4 and Frank5 that the plants belonging to the order
Cupuliferae, which includes the hazel, hornbean, beech, oak, etc., obtain that
portion of their food derived from the soil through the intervention of fungus
mycelium or "spawn" which forms a felt round the young rootlets, will, if
corroborated, illustrate in a remarkable manner the correlation between two
distinct species (and in the present instance species widely separated in the scale
of plant life) for mutual advantage. Three points necessary for the further study of
this idea are required—(a) to ascertain what species of fungus the mycelium belongs
to ; being deep underground the mycelium remains barren, but if placed nearer
the surface it might produce fruit ; (b) whether the mycelium is invariably
present and on how many species of plants; (c) whether the species of oak,
hornbeam, etc., can be raised by water-culture, or other methods, independent
of the fungus.
In conclusion, Mr. Massee pointed out that workers with the microscope might
do good service in trying to confirm or extend the observations to which he had
referred—the subjects were of great interest, and deserve the attentive study of
all interested in botanical science.6
Prof. Boulger proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Massee for his very interesting
and suggestive address, which was seconded by Mr. White, and carried by acclama-
tion. Mr. Massee, in his reply, again strongly urged the members to take up
some such studies as those he had referred to. The observations required were
not difficult to make; students should at first repeat the observations of others,
and then endeavour to strike out new lines for themselves.
Some time was then spent in examining the various objects on the tables, and
the meeting broke up about nine o'clock.
4 Mem. Soc. Nat. Sci. Cherbourg, xxiv. (1884).
5 Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gessell (1885).
6 The papers referred to by Mr. Massee, as well as others treating of confirmatory or extended
investigations in the directions indicated, will be found abstracted in the "Summary of Current
Researches" contained in the "Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society '' for 1885—1887.
—Ed.