Researches on Animals Containing Chlorophyll

Abstract

1. DR. BRANDT'S observations (Sitz. d. Berlin Physiol. Gesellsch., Nov. 11, 1881) are upon the green bodies of Hydra, Spongilla, a fresh-water planarian, and numerous infusors. He finds that these green bodies are masses of hyaline protoplasm, containing a nucleus and a chlorophyll-granule. Sometimes two to six are present, these he considers are states of division. He regards these facts as proving that those bodies are unicellular algæ, and erects the genus Zoochlorella. He finds them survive isolation, and even develop starch in light. Specimens from Spengilla were taken in by infusors, but were either digested or ejected: those from a dead Hydra were, however, retained by Paramæcium, Coleps, &c. He believes that the chlorophyll never belongs to the animals, but always to algæ.