Query for the Natural History Society.
Does any botanical member know the modern classification (whether as animal or vegetable) of the Tremella (Conferva gelatinosa), a green water-plant? It forms in stagnant pools, and consists of a number of filaments interwoven through each other. According to the description, if one of these is moistened and placed under a microscope, the extremities rise and fall alternately, and move to the right or to the left, twisting in various directions. Sometimes it forms itself into an oval or irregular curve. If two are placed side by side, they become twisted together by a peculiar motion. If we are to believe the author, the plant has the nine lives of a cat, for if a filament or mass of tremella is dried and laid away for several months it will, on being moistened, revive and multiply as before.
The plant was also known under the names of Omnium tenerrima et minima and Aquarium limo innascens. Can any member give me further information on this subject?
Vincent V. M. Beede, R.T.F.
Hackettstown, N. J.