358 
by Fairchild); Algae (fzcus, 3 species, by Strasburger, Stypocanlon 
scoparium and Halopteris sp.? by Swingle); Characeae (Chara 
Jragilis, by Debski); Equisetaceae (Egzzsetum lmosum, by Oster- 
hout); Dicotyledons Podophyllum peltatum, Helleborus foetidus, by 
Mottier); and Monocotyledons (Lilium Martagon, L. candidum, 
Fritillaria Persica, by Mottier, and Hemerocallis fulva, by Juel). 
The chief results obtained were in regard to the formation of the 
mitotic figure, the centrosome, and reduction in the chromatin. 
All work connected with the origin and structure of the spindle 
is based upon Strasburger’s idea of kinoplasm (equivalent to Bo- 
veri’s archoplasm) and trophoplasm. Strasburger himself regards 
these observations as demonstrating the truth of the idea and he 
offers still more definite views in regard to the nature of the two 
substances. The active kinoplasm has a fibrous structure, the ac- 
tive trophoplasm an alveolar structure (Wabenstruktur), but during 
the resting phases both substances may show only the latter 
structure. Perhaps the idea of Strasburger’s conception of the 
relations of kinoplasm and trophoplasm is given by his comparison 
of the former with linin in the nucleus and the latter with chroma- 
tin. The nucleolus is regarded as a “ reserve store”’ of kinoplasm 
and the relations therefore of nucleus and kinoplasm are considered 
very close. Harper’s observation on Pesiza and Erysiphe \ead 
Strasburger to regard the cell membrane also as derived from 
kinoplasm, while Harper in addition gives to the kinoplasm a 
certain physiological réle whereby it acts as a “ middle-man”’ be- 
tween the outer world and the nucleus. 
The origin of the spindle-fibres from kinoplasm, and the for- 
mation of the spindle, as described by Osterhout and Mottier, are 
very extraordinary and are certainly not duplicated in any known 
animal cells. The kinoplasm, which is indicated by a characteristic 
color after the use of orange solutions, is first seen as radial fibres 
stretching out in all directions from the nuclear membrane. The 
fibrils next become tangential and focussed at various points in the 
cell, so that a multipolar spindle results. The various poles grad- 
ually fuse together until only two are left, and these form the de- 
- finitive poles of the mitotic figure. 
Fairchild describes a very different kind of a spindle in the 
fungus Basidiobolus ranarum. Here it arises, as in the other cases, 
