1/2 RALPH S. LILLIK. 



pears at present susceptible of only partial reply. It is to be noted 

 however that a marked potential-difference invariably makes its ap- 

 pearance (as evidenced by the appearance of astral radiations) 

 whenever the nuclear chromatin passes into the highly condensed 

 and chromatic phase, characterized by a high proportion of 

 nucleic acicl, which forms perhaps the most typical and constant 

 of the peculiarities of mitosis. Since, chemically considered, this 

 change denotes an increase in the acidity of the chromatic colloids, 

 and since such acidity implies that the colloidal particles are neg- 

 atively charged, 1 the inference has seemed reasonable that the in- 

 equality of distribution of the ions in the cytoplasm is due to the 

 acquisition of a negative charge of high potential by the colloids 

 composing the nuclear chromatin. I have elsewhere 3 called 

 attention to this possibility and have pointed out that the spiral 

 form of the chromatic filament in the prophase, and also the dis- 

 position, mode of division, and movements of the chromosomes, 

 are strongly suggestive of the action of electrostatically charged 

 bodies. If the chromatin carries a negative charge the anions 

 will tend to approach the periphery of the egg as a result of the 

 inductive action of this charge, while the kations will be attracted 

 toward the chromatin. The result will be the establishment of a 

 potential-difference within the cytoplasm of the kind indicated 

 above, with a negative charge at the surface of the egg. 



There exists experimental evidence of an apparently conclusive 

 kind that the ions of opposite sign present in a solution may be 

 separated by the inductive action of an electrostatically charged 

 body. The original proof of this proposition appears to be fur- 

 nished by the well-known and frequently-quoted experiment of 

 Ostwald and Nernst. 3 Recently J. Olsen 4 has described experi- 

 ments which lead to similar conclusions. This author has found 

 that an electrolyte-solution is affected by an electrostatic charge 

 in such a manner that the liquid nearest the charge assumes a 

 charge of opposite sign to that of the charged body employed, 



1 Picton and Linder, Journal of the Chemical Societv, 1897, LXXL, p. 568. 

 Hardy, Journal of Physiology, 24, 1899, p. 288. See also Bredig, " Anorganische 

 Fermente," Leipzig, 1901, p. 15. 



2 American J' iti nal of Physiology, 8, 1903, p. 273. 



3 Zeitsi hrift filr phynk'ilische Cheinie, 3, 1889, p. I2O. 



4 American Journal of Science, 1902, Vol. XIV., No. 82. 



