Observations on the chromatology of Actiniae / by C.A. Mac Munn.

  • MacMunn, Charles Alexander, 1852-1911.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the chromatology of Actiniae / by C.A. Mac Munn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    red solution filtered through asbestos; in this solution the acid haematoporphyrin spectrum was plainly seen, much more plainly than in the case of other Actiniae, so that readings could be easily taken, the first band extended from X 613 to X 596-5, and the second from X 566 to X 551 ; here a third feeble shading from X 524*5 to X 501 was also seen. On comparing these readings with those got in former cases the agreement is tolerably close, especially when we take into consideration the fact that in the case of Actinia mesembryanthemum the bands of a solution diluted with rectified spirit were measured, while here the pigment was dissolved in pure sulphuric acid. In the latter case the pignient could also be converted into alkaline hsemato- porphyrin. If a Bunodes crassicornis be taken whose tentacles show the aetiniohsematin band, and if the tentacles be extracted with glycerin, the solution shows a much broader band between D and E than that of Actiniochrome; then on adding caustic soda the band is made fainter, and on adding sulphide of ammonium the hsemochromogen bands are seen with distinctness, but if those tentacles which show Professor Moseley’s Actiniochrome are treated in the same way a negative result is obtained. Biliverdin appears to be present in the mesoderm and in other green parts. In some specimens I found aetiniohsematin and actiniochrome mixed together, and in the glycerin extract of some tentacles two bands nearer the violet, as shown in spectrum 7, Chart II. I do not think these bands belong to a lipochrome (= lutein) as they are not found in solutions which dissolve the lipochromes.* Similar bands were seen in the case of other anemones, as will be seen by referring to the spectra figured. Hence in Bunodes crassicornis we find aetiniohsematin with tolerable constancy, occasionally actiniochrome and also biliverdin, besides the lutein-like pigments. In the ectoderm as well as in the endoderm, and sometimes in the tentacles, aetiniohsematin is present. In none of the specimens were “ yellow cells” present, and by no other solvents except glycerin, and alkaline and acid alcoholic solutions, could any pigments be got into solution. Bunodes ballii (large variety).—The specimens which I have examined came from Weymouth. The body wall was dotted with red, the tentacles and body at their base were green, and the tentacles presented a contrast in their opacity to the Actiniae, examined supra. In other specimens the body wall (ectodermal layer) was red or brownish-red, the upper fifth or so greenish, with rows of white dots running from base to disc. The tentacles gave a number of bands, (see spectrum 10, Chart II.,) which showed * “ Lipochromes ” is a name proposed by Krukenberg for a class of pigments some of wbioh were formerly known as luteins. See bis ‘ Vergleichend-physiologische Studien,’ 1880-1882, and ‘ Grundziige einer vergleicbenden Physiologie der Farbstoffe und der Farben,’ 1884. I hope to have more to say on this point in a future paper.