179 



publish the results obtained so far, because it is anyhow 

 possible lo conclude, I believe, that such a rhylhmic process 

 of cell divisions is going on in the explanted tissue too. In 

 lack of belter methods al llie present lime, 1 feel Ihat the 

 experiments have some \alue. As soon as I am able to work 

 out a better lechnique, liie experiments will again be taken 

 up. Micro-cinematographs will probably be the technique 

 for this investigation. 



A series of experiments have been undertaken in order 

 lo demonstrate the imporlanl role plaj^ed by the protoplas- 

 mic bridges connecling the individual tissue cells in vivo 

 as well as in vitro. For this purpose I have devised a new 

 technique to discover if these protoplasmic bridges between 

 Ihe cells are the itinerai'ies for impulses or stimuli, other 

 than those described above, for the cell multiplication. My 

 intention was to devise an experiment which easily could 

 be repealed by other investigators and clearly would de- 

 monstrate the significance of the protoplasmic connections 

 between the cells. Quite lately it was claimed by Charles 

 F. d c G a r i s --o) that the cellular connections in vivo as 

 well as in vilro were only appai^ent. He never observed 

 any true connection between the cells; he never found any 

 transport of cj'toplasmic granules or vacuoles from one cell 

 to another. This is of no importance. It is not necessary 

 that the exchange of substances should be visible for micro- 

 scopic observation. It is a general fact, anjdiow, thai the 

 contact between various nerve fibres plays a role for the 

 conduction of nervous currents. 



It was therefore attempted to obtain a synchronous or 

 simultaneous contraction of two separate fragments of hearl 

 in vilro, to demonstrate whether a cellular contact between 

 the fragments could be reestablished. There was every 

 reason to believe, that if anastomosis between the con- 

 tractile elements of two pieces of heart could be established, 

 a simultaneous contraction of the two fragments would 

 result. 12* 



