326 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
at different points is to be found in the fact that chromosomes, as in 
fig. 26, are often stretched across, when most of the material is already 
near the poles. As they separate, the chromosomes are connected 
by an anastomosing network (fig. 30), a beginning of that seen in 
the developed daughter nuclei. Often, if not always, strands are 
left after the assembling of the chromosomes at the poles. These 
chromatic masses persist in the cell after the membranes of the 
daughter nuclei are formed. As they can be traced step by step 
to the chromatic material of the metaphase, they may rightfully 
be termed chromidia and not considered metabolic products 
deposited in the cytoplasm. Their frequent occurrence at this 
stage of division suggests that the casting out of such masses may 
be a normal phenomenon, and that these chromidia are active in 
the secretory or other functions of the cell. 
DeRscHAU (4) observed in the leaf epidermis cells of Berberis 
chromatin protuberances from the nucleus beginning to turn green. 
He considers them chromidial substances laying the foundation of 
the chloroplasts. Lrwirsxy also holds that the chromatophores 
develop from chondriosomes, although MEYER (11) considers his 
conclusions unsound, as his investigations led him to believe that 
chromatophores arise only through the division of other chromato- 
phores. Farmer and Dicsy (6) describe in certain varietal and 
hybrid ferns the ejection from nucleus into cytoplasm of chromatic 
droplets during early stages of heterotypic mitosis and also during 
telophase. Future research may likewise connect in Spirogyra 
these chromidia with the origin of chromatophores and pyrenoids. 
As the chromosomes elongate and assemble at the poles, @ split 
lengthwise can be seen in each, in some more definitely than in 
others (figs. 28-30). Sections cut obliquely (fig. 27) show the tubu- 
lar or hollow formation of the chromosomes ; those cut transversely, 
the ringlike nature resolving later into the four thickened masses 
inclosing a vacuole. The number of these chromosomes could not 
be ascertained definitely, but it seemed to approximate 14, more 
rather than less. This would correspond with that found by 
KARSTEN (9) in Spirogyra jugalis. 
As the chromosomes near the poles they become V-shaped 
(fig. 33). When condensation has sufficiently proceeded, the ma 
