GIANT GERM CELLS IN THE GRASSHOPPER. 



FRANK A. HARTMAN. 



Giant somatic cells have often been described but so far as 

 the available literature shows nothing but giant spermatids 

 have been figured in the male germ cells of insects. 1 Mitotic 

 figures of giant germ cells throw light upon the development of 

 these abnormal spermatids. 



One Schistocerca nymph about one third grown contained 

 several giant cells in mitosis. 



The earliest stage found was a secondary spermatogonium 

 (Fig. i) containing forty-six or more chromosomes. The chromo- 

 somes w T ere so massed that it was difficult to determine the exact 

 number, but the cell was equivalent to at least two ordinary cells 

 (a typical spermatogonial cell contains twenty-three). 



Two giant cells in first spermatocyte metaphase appeared; 

 one of these did not show the chromosomes distinctly while the 

 other (Fig. 2) contained twenty-nine chromosomes. As the 

 number of chromosomes in the spermatocyte stages is reduced 

 one half (to twelve) this giant cell corresponds to at least two 

 normal cells. 



An adult Melanoplus contained two giant first spermatocytes, 

 each with twenty-four chromosomes, one was in late prophase 

 and the other in metaphase. 



A number of giant cells in first spermatocyte anaphase were 

 found in the nymph already mentioned. Of these two are 

 figured (PL I., Fig. 3, and PI. II.). The cells were so large that 

 they were divided into four pieces by sectioning. These pieces 

 were easily distinguished by their relation to the surrounding 

 cells. No doubt a few of the chromosomes were lost in sectioning, 

 as one or two chromosomes were found detached from any cell. 



There were fifty-four chromosomes passing toward one pole 

 and forty-nine toward the other in the first of these cells. 



1 Paulmier, F. C., "The Spermatogenesis of Anasa-tristis," Journal of Mor- 

 phology, XV. 



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