. An introduction to vegetable physiology. Plant physiology. THE SKELETON OF THE PLANT 49 considerable internal strain, the micellsB attracting each other and tending to squeeze out the water. The latter, on the other hand, tends to separate the micellae. According to Strasburger, the molecules of the solid matter are held together by chemical affinity, and there is no definite aggregation of them into micellse. He pictures, therefore, a linkage of the atoms into a molecular network, the meshes of which are occupied by water. On either hypothesis -the quantity of water is capable of considerab
. An introduction to vegetable physiology. Plant physiology. THE SKELETON OF THE PLANT 49 considerable internal strain, the micellsB attracting each other and tending to squeeze out the water. The latter, on the other hand, tends to separate the micellae. According to Strasburger, the molecules of the solid matter are held together by chemical affinity, and there is no definite aggregation of them into micellse. He pictures, therefore, a linkage of the atoms into a molecular network, the meshes of which are occupied by water. On either hypothesis -the quantity of water is capable of considerable increase or diminution, and the wall can be made to swell up by causing it to imbibe more fluid. This can be brought about by exposing it to the action of strong mineral acids, such as sulphuric acid. The water is held, however, by the solid particles with very great tenacity. A different view of the composi- tion of the cell-wall was advanced some years ago by Wiesner. He held that the substance of the membrane as it is first formed p,^^ Cells consists of rows of granular bodies Wood, snowraa Stbatifioa- , . , , , , - TiON. (After Sachs.) which he termed dermatosomes; these are connected together by protoplasm which surrounds them. He based his view on the phenomena which accom- pany the disintegration of the wall by the action of strong alkalies. On this hypothesis the cell-wall is living while young and growing. The protoplasm exists in it between particles of solid matter, and it holds the water in its substance. The thickening which always supervenes to a greater or less extent upon the first formation of the cell-wall is brought about by the protoplasm in a way similar to the method of its original construction. Layers composed like the original one are continually secreted by the protoplast, and are deposited upon its exterior in apposition with the wall already there. Hence walls which have a perceptible 4. I OF. Please note that these images are extrac
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