THE RELATION OF THE STABILITY OF PROTOPLASMIC FILMS IN NOCTILUCA TO THE DURATION AND INTENSITY OF AN APPLIED ELECTRIC POTENTIAL.

1. The experiments demonstrate that when a constant electric potential of sufficient intensity is applied to Noctiluca, the protoplasmic films which represent a part of the visible continuous phase of the cytoplasm and plasma membrane at the surface of the cell, become unstable and break down, thus releasing the acid contents of one of the internal discontinuous phases present in the cytoplasm of Noctiluca. This process which occurs first at anode then at the cathode side of the cell, appears to be a selective deemulsification or coalescence similar to that at the surface of an emulsion having a viscous continuous phase.