44 EDGAR DAVIDSON COXGDON. 



large eggs examined from the pedicel ; second, as already stated, 

 a nucleus was found in process of absorption in a small egg. As 

 has been shown the period of most active absorption is during the 

 stay in the wall of the hydranth. When the egg is first enclosed 

 by the gonophore, nuclei are scattered thickly throughout the 

 cytoplasm. As the deutoplasm is formed they are in part crowded 

 toward the periphery. We might expect from the conditions in 

 Pcnnaria and Tubularia to find the nuclei now passing through 

 the characteristic changes of pseudo-cells, but nothing of the kind 

 occurs. In eggs well on toward maturation, I detected no change 

 in the nuclei. It would be of great interest to find whether the 

 pseudo-cells are finally formed or whether the history of the 

 nuclei is different from any yet described, in that they are grad- 

 ually absorbed. The persistence of the nuclei during the ma- 

 turation of the egg appears less strange when we consider that 

 the ova grow very rapidly and that the period under considera- 

 tion is but a comparatively few hours. 



The results of the latest investigations of pseudo-cells seem to 

 show that Brauer and Ciamician were wrong in the conception of 

 their origin. If that be true, then the term rightly applies not 

 only to the bodies found in the eggs of T. larynx, T. crocea 

 and P. tiarella, but in E. liargitti as well, although we do not 

 know whether the latter ever undergo like degenerative changes. 



From the time of origin of the egg in the ectoderm until its 

 enclosure in the gonophore the nuclear structure does not change 

 though the size increases. As the gonophore approaches its ma- 

 ture proportions, the nucleus becomes excentric and may lose its 

 membrane. I did not follow the phenomena of maturation 

 farther. 



Yolk granules appear in the egg while the gonophore is small. 

 They are usually first developed around the central nucleus. In 

 any case the periphery is the last to become filled with them. 

 They enlarge and increase in number so as to take a polyhedral 

 shape to mutual pressure. They are separated by a thin film of 

 protoplasm. As in E. raniosinn, the spadix becomes flattened 

 upon the egg probably contributing its substance for nutrition. 



NourisJuncnt. - - In connection with the study of the gonosome 

 I found it of interest to compare the distribution of nourishment 



