39() A. T. KASMUSSEN AND J. A. MYEllS 



])('rmitt(Hl. ('()iT('S])()ii(lin<>; sections IVom ull aiiiinnls of a series 

 were fixed on the same slide to insure ec^iud staining. In other 

 cases several sections from the same block were placed on one 

 slide and all the corresponding slides stained together by carry- 

 ing tliem through the reagents by means of a basket, or rack, 

 which would contain the entire lot. 



RESULTS 



The nerve cells of the woodchuck are essentially typical, 

 containing the usual large round nucleus, with one nucleolus. 

 The chromophilous substance in the cytoplasm has the usual 

 appearance and arrangement so well known that no description 

 will be necessary here. In spite of all precautions there are notice- 

 able variations in the size, distinctness and arrangement of the 

 Nissl bodies in homologous cells of animals in the same state and 

 even in the cells of the same group in a particular section. These 

 variations are found in both dormant and active animals. We 

 can detect no modification in the Nissl granules characteristic 

 of the hibernating as compared with the non-hibernating state. 

 Certainly in these woodchucks there is not the difference indi- 

 cated by the figures given by Marinesco in the case of the hedge- 

 hog. The chromophilous substance is present during hibernation 

 in at least as great a quantity as at other times and presents the 

 usual appearance when stained with methylene blue. The 

 arrangement of the granules varies somewhat even in cells of the 

 same group, being more abundant in the periphery of the cells in 

 some cases and in others being grouped more densely around 

 the nucleus. The size and shape of the bodies vary from fine 

 irregular granules to larger elongated ones; but when a large 

 number of cells are examined the extreme variations may be 

 found in animals in the same state and often in the same section. 

 A predominance of a particular variation in either state can not 

 be established. The accompanying figures and explanations will 

 suffice to indicate the general cell picture before, during and 

 after hibernation. The larger types of nerve cells were selected 

 as illustrations because in them the Nissl bodies are more distinct 

 and make better photographs. 



