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May 29th 1873 Saxifraga Umbrosa

Heads of glands of flower-stalk near flowers, after after plain spring water for 18˚ truly red, with a good deal of aggregation—

After strong infusion of raw meat for 24˚23˚. 30', colour decidedly darker & more purple — also some difference in glands, owing to more aggregation of content of cells; that is the interspace between the many spherical or irregular masses of purple matter are cleaner or whiter or more open. — The branch was bent down & immersed in the juice of raw meat & N. of Ammonia

N. of Ammonia (3 gr. to 1 oz) produced nearly the same effect on colour in the meat-juice. —

(There can be no doubt about the change of colour from the infusion of raw meat, the difference in segregation is not so well strongly pronounced, but I have no doubt holds good, seen through single lens 1/140th of inch)

(I could perceive no difference in the footstalks of the glands in any case.)

In the specimen which had been in the raw meat & then had been placed in water for 1˚15', taking a small & transparent gland the globular masses of purple matter were found to be undergoing incipient

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changes of form, just as in Drosera, — The whole appearance of gland altered every 4 or 5 minutes.

In the course of 1 or 2 minutes, I see spherical purple masses draw themselves out & unite with others, — single small ones increase in size rapidly — & 3 very distinct ones became confluent & many other such changes, — I cannot doubt protoplasm. — Endless incessant changes [sketch] — became globular.

Cannot be any chemical precipitation.— It is this protoplasm which becomes dull purple from meat.—

I cd. not perceive any difference between the two bits of stalk, which had been in meat & plain water, & those had been placed in C. of Ammonia (2 gr to 1 oz) for 2˚ 40'— In both the glands near both cut ends, had lost all their red colour & were much aggregated, as well as the contents of the cells of the pedicels. It is clear far more rapid absorption through cut ends than through glands.

[in margin:] Argue first that purple matter of a protoplasmic matter.

The ruby-red plates in in glands in water for 27˚ also undergo movements like those above described. This is certain.

Also a bit just put in water, also altered shapes, but I think more clearly than those which had been in meat. N.B. Their fresh bit presented general appearance like those in water for 27˚.—