300 H. E. JORDAN 
are given regarding the specific role of the centrosomes in this 
process, nor does he give any figures showing astral rays or 
spindle fibers accompanying the ‘multiple mitoses.’ 
Bunting describes ‘peculiar complex mitotic. figures’ in 
‘dividing megalokaryocytes’ of the regenerating red bone-mar- 
row of the rabbit, after experimental intoxication with saponin, 
ricin, or turpentine. He finds no evidence, however, of a divi- 
sion either of the chromatin masses or of the giant-cell cytoplasm. 
No mention is made of either centrosomes or spindle fiber; it 
may therefore be inferred that such were not seen in connection 
with these ‘mitoses.’ He suggests that these apparently incom- 
plete, and multipolar, mitoses lead merely to an increase in 
the complexity of the polymorphous nucleus—an idea very like 
that expressed by Van Bambeke and Van der Stricht. 
The seriation described by Dickson seems on its face quite 
improbable. The relatively small size of his cell at ‘prophase,’ 
figure 2 (fig. 17), and of the cells at ‘anaphase’ (figs. 14 and 15) 
is noteworthy. Dickson also makes no mention of centrosomes 
or spindle fibers in these assumed mitotic phases. It should be 
stated also that two of the figures in this series (figs. 10 and 17) 
occur only very infrequently in my material. Dickson’s figure 
corresponding to my figure 10 contains a ‘spireme’ of consider- 
ably lesser girth. Dickson tentatively describes mitosis in 
these giant-cells as follows: 
The first stage in this complicated division seems to be an aggrega- 
tion of the basket-like nucleus (fig. 3)* of the giant-cell already de- 
scribed, into a more compact, solid mass, such as is shown in the Cell 1 
of the figure (fig. 16). This process of condensation may continue 
until the whole nucleus becomes much reduced in total bulk, and dur- 
ing which process the staining reaction of the chromatin becomes more 
intense. (Note.—lIt is possible the stage figured in Cell 2 (fig. 17) 
may be a somewhat later one in the process, and may represent the 
phase which follows division and rearrangement of the chromosomes.) 
The nucleus now proceeds to arrange itself into one long, continuous, 
convoluted, thread-like structure which gradually becomes thinner 
and more condensed, and which shows the chromatin becoming aggre- 
gated into little rounded masses dotted at regular intervals along its 
4 The references to figures, given in brackets, in this quotation are inserted by 
me, and designate figures illustrating this article. 
