120 CHARLES PACKARD 



abnormally and mitosis does not occur, although the protoplasm 

 may divide. 



3. Radiation of the fertilized egg results either in a failure of 

 the fully developed germ nuclei to fuse, or in abnormal division 

 of the cleavage nucleus. 



4. Eggs radiated before and after fertilization show very 

 marked evidences of protoplasmic degeneration, 



5. In general, both protoplasm and chromatin are affected. 



6. The previous hypotheses do not satisfactorily explain these 

 facts. 



7. It is suggested that the radium radiations act indirectly on 

 the chromatin and protoplasm by activating autolytic enzymes 

 which bring about a degeneration of the complex proteids, and 

 probably by affecting other protoplasmic substances in the same 

 manner. 



