The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-07-20
STUDIES IN TEE COMPARATIVE
CHEMISTRY OF HIGHER AND
LOWER PLANTS.

chemical elements, so-called, are in reality
compounds themselves, formed in the COS
mic laboratory from still simpler aggrega-
tons Of matter. and that in mineralogy the
series of chemical formations are doubtless
the result Of evolution from the more sim
pie elements to the complex structure of
the crystalline rocks. Tie plant kingdom
was considered as a third and higher stage,
containing in its structure combinations of
the elements, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen,
pounds derived from the mineral world.
The essence which underlies all force and
life, the lecturer said, may be traced
through these three planes as a law of pro-
gression little varying in its general course,
though ever giving more involved problems
for solution, according to the increasing
complexity from elements and minerals to
plants, and even to animals.
The theory of evolution, Miss Abbott
went on to say, comprises the evolution of
the component parts OF the whole, and,
since the structural bases OF minerals and
plants are chemical compounds, their evolu-
ton must necessarily be included in a
study of plant life. The character of that
condition Of matter which is called proto-
plasm was briefly described, and referred
to as being always present where slife" is
in the higher plants, the albuminoid con-
tents Of these cells undergoing continual
change; in life it is a building up process,
the food being supplied from the gases,
~roundings. and elaborated in the plants
own laboratory to meet its needs.
After speaking of the sources Of the sub
stances which go to the building of the
plant structure, and the percentages of
ssash constituents" found in plants in diff
ferent places in the evolutionary scale. and
in different stages Of individual growth,
Miss Abbott said the chemical compounds
First, In their own development through
many plant groups from a gelatinous or
undifferentiated compound to a substance
Of the same chemical formula, having q
solid or crystalline form; I'd, In their suc-
eession of changes which may be observed
during the different stages of the indiyid-
ual plants growth and the relation of these
chemical changes to other compounds pres
ent in the plant, and Sd, The location as
predominant of some one or associated
compounds only in certain plants or similar
evolutionary planes.
Miss Abbott said that there is no abso-
lutte certain knowledge of the precise char
acterof tie chemical changes which these
plant compounds undergo, though investi-
cations are being vigorously pushed in
this department OF plant lie. Reference
was made to the order OF evolution for
towering plants proposed by NJ. Edouard
Heckel, and a table showing that order
was placed beside a diagram showing the
distribution of chemical compounds. sit
is still impossible, . said the lecturer, ito
demonstrate the full significance Of this
chemical theory in plant development,
but it viii be evident to any one who ex-
amines botanical and chemical facts that
the presence of certain chemical compounds
is associated with certain botanical condi-
tions, and, where these conditions are var
liable, is found a like variability OF chemi-
cal composition. 4 r : Broadly speak
ing, the study of plant life cannot be con-
fined within the limits Of the vegetable
cell, since its radiations reach to the do
mains of mineralogy and animal life. From
a chemical point alone it would be difficult
to discriminate in every case between the
plant and animal cell. The series Of mi
NAL gums, carbohydrates, alkaloids and
eoloring matters find their analogous series
in plants; by the study of embryology it
is found that alantoin occurs both in ami
NAL and plant life, and the secretion Of
some plant leaves is a fluid chemically
like The animal gastric juice"
In conclusion Miss Abbott said 1.-THE
vegetable kingdom is so vast that the bo-
tanieal-ehemical facts at our disposal are
meagTe in comparison to the data required,
and in consequence many of the explana-
tory statements advanced can only be con-
sidered in the light OF speculation. Nistas
have opened most promisingly, but to be
cut off suddenly by q limitation of these
details, and ! cannot urge too strongly the
very great Importance of minute chemical
research at least in certain typical members
of botanical groups. Without snch ~investi-
cation a greatdeal Of our present knowledge
is worthless for utilization. Still the oc-
currence of chemical compounds in plants,
as | have pointed out. is a fact, and re-
moved from the realms OF speculation. The
changes of the chemical compounds within
the cell, the simultaneous appearance of
two or more compounds always in a~ssocia-
ton, aud the predominanee of sore one
compound in certain plant groups, should
be seriously considered before the evolution
of plant chemistry be definitely approved
or condemned. These facts suggest ques-
lions which must be answered before a fur
Their advance can be made in plant biology.
= = A fall acquaintance with the
chemical compounds Of living plant orders
may even lead to a chemistry Of paleo-bot-
any. and where the fossil forms resemble
modern groups, as in some Of the well pre-