From S. H. Vines   24 November [1881]¹

My dear M^r. Darwin,

I hope in a day or two to have an opportunity of seeing the granular cells in the roots, and to try to find out something of their meaning— Your observation that the root-hairs spring from cells which are not granular is very interesting and suggestive, & I will not fail to note this point—² The point which I shall especially try to make out is as to whether or not this appearance is undoubtedly due to some difference between the various cells of the root whilst they are still alive— possibly it may be induced to some extent in the process of preparation—

My suggestion that 10 per cent salt solution should be tried as a solvent, is based upon my experience of this reagent with regard to the aleurone-grains which the cells of seeds contain— most of these proteid grains dissolve to some extent in this fluid, and some of them completely—³ I hoped that possibly the granules in these root-cells might be found to be soluble in it also, and this would afford some clue as to their probable nature— They seem to belong to the protoplasm at any rate—

yours faithfully | Sydney H. Vines.