32 THOS. s. MONTGOMERY jr., 



it exceedingly difficult to determine, whether in the telophase the 

 original 3 — 6 chromosomes of the postsynapsis increase in number, 

 i. e. divide transversely. I have given particular attention to this 

 point, and am inclined to think that this is not the case. Two facts 

 speak for this view : first, it will be shown that the transverse division 

 of one or more of the 3—6 chromosomes, leading to the production 

 of the definitive number of chromosomes, takes place in the prophase 

 of the 1st spermatocytic division. And second, in the telophase 

 the chromosomes appear to still persist in the number characteristic 

 for the postsynapsis, for even though each of them changes into a 

 row of granules of chromatin of irregular size, the separate granules 

 of an original chromosome appear to be united together either by 

 slender chromatin threads, or by the linin matrix alone. 



Within the nucleus at this stage delicate threads (not sheets) of 

 linin fibres become very numerous and connect the surfaces of the 

 chromosomes with the nuclear membrane and with the nucleoli, as 

 well as with one another. These fibres are always attached to the 

 irregular projections on the surface of the chromosomes (Fig. 89). 

 This fact calls up the question: do these fibres pull out the chromatin, 

 or does the chromatin flow along the fibres ? This question necessarily 

 forms the basis of the whole question as to changes in the form of 

 the chromosomes, but would be very difficult to decide empirically. 

 Neither in the postsynapsis nor in the telophase can any trace be 

 found of that bundle of parallel achromatic fibres which in the 

 synapsis pass from the chromosomes to the idiozome; possibly they 

 become distributed so as to form a part of the linin network of the 

 telophase ; for whence else can the latter fibres be derived, unless it be 

 that they are outgrowths of the linin constituent of the chromosomes ? 



At this stage the idiozome undergoes marked changes. It loses 

 its concavo-convex outline, and gradually so disperses through the 

 cytoplasm as to produce an irregular cap of substance which envelopes 

 the nucleus on nearly all sides ; it simultaneously increases in volume. 

 This appearance shall be more fully described in the section on the 

 rest stage. Centrosoraes could not be positively distinguished in the 

 telophase. 



At this point may be discussed certain groups of cell syncytia 

 which are found in all the follicles of the testicle, and the component 

 cells of which are mainly in stages of the synapsis and telophase. In 

 the testicles of Tropicoris examined they do not seem to be present. 

 These are large, more or less spherical masses of cells (Figs. 92, 93), 



