; 1904 | MERRIMAN:; VEGETATIVE CELL DIVISION 199 
versies over the number gf chromosomes, the various shapes that 
they assume during division, and the manner of separation. 
The work of Brauer (3) on the spematogenesis of Ascaris 
megalocephala has a direct bearing upon the results attained in 
the investigation of Allium. He states that in the passive nuclei 
of the spermatogonia the first preparation for the formation of 
the chromosomes is to be seen in the arrangement of the irregu- 
larly distributed granules into definite lines. The distinguishing 
feature of these nuclei in comparison with those which show no 
preparation for division is the presence of a sharp line between 
the chromatin granules, whereby these become arranged into 
two rows. In regard to the spermatocytes, he states also that 
when two threads do not lie directly over one another, or when 
through other change in their position an insight into their 
arrangement is made impossible, a division of the granules is 
everywhere to be seen. When a polar view of isolated groups 
of granules is obtained, each group can be seen to consist of four 
granules which lie arranged near one another in the same plane, 
each one being marked off from the neighboring ¢ ones by a well- 
defined fissure. 
Brauer raised the question whether the splitting of the gran- 
ules was from the beginning double, or whether the two splittings 
followed each other. He states that the granules in the earlier 
stages are too small and too numerous to allow a settlement of 
this question, yet he could discover in individual cases isolated 
granules composed of four elements. 
The same question can be raised regarding the origin of the 
quadripartite granules of Allium in the earliest stages of the 
active nuclei in which any definite arrangement can be detected. 
Here too the evidence is of the same incomplete nature. Brauer 
does not describe for the early anaphase a resolution of the 
chromosomes first into double strands and then into quadripar- 
tite strands, each composed of a series of granules. Hence he 
has not raised the question, which I have previously discussed, 
whether, instead of a process of division of granules into fours 
to form the strands of the spireme, it may not be that from the 
beginning we have to do with a fusion of granules in fours. 
