Paper, 'On the structure of the mucilage cells of Blechnum occidentale (L) and Osmunda regalis (L)' by Tokutarô Itô and Walter Gardiner

Description

The authors write: 'The growing point of many ferns is found to be covered with a slimy mucilage which arises from hairs situated on the palae and the leaves, or where palae are absent on the leaves only. This mucilaginous secretion serves a most important physiological function, in that it readily takes up and retains water, and thus keeps the young bud moist, and at the same time tends to prevent too excessive transpiration. The cells which secrete the mucilage are large and swollen, and the secretion escapes by the rupturing of the cell wall.'

Annotations in pencil and ink.

Subject: Botany / Cytology

Received 31 May 1887. Read 16 June 1887. Communicated by Michael Foster.

A version of this paper was published in volume 42 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'On the structure of the mucilage cells of Blechnum occidentale (L.) and Osmunda regalis (L.)'.

Reference number

PP/10/44

Earliest possible date

1887

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

3 pages

Format

Manuscript