Nucleus of the Animal and Vegetable " O^/." 211 



of the same process effects a doubling in the num- 

 ber of the cells, until a mulberry-like body has ^'^* ^^' 

 arisen, consisting entirely of cells ; in the centre 

 of which mulberry is found a cell having the 

 same general appearance as the rest, but of 

 larger size, — a sort of queen bee in the hive. 

 The nucleus of this larger cell is the rudimental embryo. And 

 in the development of this nucleus into the embryo, the first 

 discernible changes are of the same kind as those exhibited 

 by the nucleus of every cell subsequently developed from it, 

 and entering into the formation of the embryo. 



From what I have already stated, it vi^ill be seen that the 

 twin cells in fig. 19 are endowed with qualities resulting from 

 the fecundation of the germinal vesicle, their parent-cell ; 

 such endowment of the young cells being referable to self- 

 division, eff^ected by a process of assimilation. 



The reproduction of the cell is thus essentially fissiparous, 

 its contents undergoing division after having been assimi- 

 lated to the nucleus ; which nucleus, therefore, it is that is 

 reproduced, — this nucleus being a portion of the remarkable 

 substance, hyaline, the reproduction of, or assimilation by, 

 which seems to be a main purpose for which cells are formed. 

 Briefly recapitulating, — the hyaline, by a very elaborate pro- 

 cess, assimilates new matter, and is reproduced by division. 

 Through successive divisions of this substance, properties 

 descend from cell to cell, — new properties being continually 

 acquired as new influences are applied ; but the original con- 

 stitution of the hyaline not being lost. (And why do nuclei 

 continue for a while at the surface of their cells, but for a 

 purpose analogous to that for which the germinal spot or 

 nucleus continues, up to a certain period, at the surface of 

 its cell in the ovum V) 



I conceive that what is seen taking place in the manner 

 here referred to, — first in the germinal vesicle, and then in 

 the individual cells, the descendants of this vesicle, — is es- 

 sential to what we observe in the reproduction of the entire 

 organism, namely, a mysterious reappearance of the qualities 

 of both parents in the offspring ; manifesting itself, as this 



