92 KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY. 



The telophase, according to Montgomery, is the "stage between the 

 j)ost- synapsis of the anaphase and the rest stage." The term "telo- 

 phase" was coined by Heidenhain in 1894 to designate that period of 

 cell division during which the chromatin framework of the daughter 

 nuclei is produced from the chromosomes of the preceding generation 

 and during which the cells are separated from each other by a cell 

 wall. Such is not Montgomery's conception, for his subsequent 

 "rest"" stage is one in which a diffused chromatic thread exists, and 

 from which the chromosomes of the first division are formed by seg- 

 mentation. The "telophase" and "rest," so far as I can discover from 

 the text and drawings, are merely early prophases of the spermatocyte. 

 In Orthopteran material, there is no true rest stage of the nucleus 

 between the spermatogonia and the spermatocytes. The chromatin 

 passes rapidly into a fine spireme condition from the spermatogonial 

 chromosomes by dispersion and rearrangement of their substance. 



The prophase of Montgomery appears to be in reality a late pro- 

 phase. The chromatin, it is stated, exists in the form of a number of 

 threads, each of which is termed a chromosome. These are less in 

 number than the bodies which subsequently divide in the metaphase. 

 They should not, therefore, be termed chromosomes, for the same 

 reason that we do not call the single chromatic thread of the early 

 prophase a chromosome. In the prophase, it seems to me, there can 

 be neither more nor less chromosomes than are formed in the meta- 

 phase before division. 



la his earlier paper Montgomery was positive in his statement that 

 there is no longitudinal division of the spireme. In a correction (9) 

 appearing later, however, he frankly acknowledges his mistake in 

 this, and states that his first conception of two transverse divisions is 

 verified by occasional instances. I am very much inclined to doubt 

 any departure from the typical chromosome division in any of the 

 cells that form functional sexual elements. I believe that in favorable 

 material the type division will be found exemplified in every nor- 

 mal mitosis. The mere occurrence of the chromosomes, with their 

 longer axis parallel to the spindle and a constriction in the equato- 

 rial plate, would be no reason whatever for assuming that the division 

 following is to be a transverse one. This is apparent from a study 

 of the chromosomes in the metaphase of the first spermatocytes, such 

 as those of Hippiscus. In commenting upon Paulmier s belief that 

 the first division is a cross-division, with which Montgomery agrees, 

 I have stated my reasons for believing that such a conclusion is 

 wrong ; I shall not therefore repeat them here. In confirmation of 

 my belief that the chromosomes of the first spermatocyte are essen- 

 tially the same in all insect material, I would ask a comparison of the 



