Alleged Pseudopodes of Diatoms

Abstract

WILL you allow me to express my concurrence in your criticism (p. 140) on Mr. Grenfell's paper on the occurrence of pseudopodia in the Diatomaceous genera Melosira and Cyclotella? I express no doubt on the accuracy of Mr. Grenfell's observations, the knowledge of which I have derived from his paper in the Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, and from his verbal description at a meeting of the Linnean Society; but I do desire to enter my protest against the use of the term “pseudopodia” for the protoplasmic filaments observed by him. According to the accepted meaning of this term, it is applied to masses of protoplasm which are in organic connection with the protoplasm of the body of the organism, and which are retractile. I understand Mr. Grenfell that he is unable to affirm either of these facts with regard to the structures observed by him; and, until this is done, the application to them of the term “pseudopodia” appears to me to involve a begging of the question at issue, and a needless and regrettable confusion in terminology.