500 CHARLES W. HARGITT 
In recent papers both Smallwood (’09) and G. T. Hargitt (’09, 
pp. 197-8), have expressed doubt as to the process in the eggs of 
Pennaria, the latter stating that ‘“‘no sign of its fragmentation 
has ever been seen.”’? But in the following sentence he adds, 
“the supposed disappearance of the germinative vesicle at this 
time, I believe to be due simply to the usual dissolution of the 
nuclear membrane and the mingling of karyoplasm with cyto- 
plasm.” 
Smallwood expresses similar doubt, saying: 
If by fragmentation of the nucleus is meant that the entire nucleus 
disappears and its contents disperse throughout the cytoplasm, then 
I find no evidence of such a process in these hydroids. But what shall 
be said of the chromatin changes before maturation in Hydractinia 
and in Pennaria after maturation, where large quantities of chromatin 
migrate into the cytoplasm? (Op. cit., p. 228.) 
It was chiefly in this latter sense that I had used the term, 
and observations of Coe, Lillie, and others were cited in support 
of facts found in Pennaria. It may also be admitted that there 
seemed to be evidences of the entire dispersal of nuclear substance 
through the cytoplasm and their subsequent reorganization into 
new nuclei. (06, p. 227, etc.). Further reference to this will 
be made in another section. 
Contention for fragmentation was based almost wholly on 
chromatin behavior. The facts which I urged in this connection 
were those involving, first, the enormous dissipation of chromatin 
and its absorption by the cytoplasm, during the phases of matu- 
ration; and secondly, the achromophilous condition of the chro- 
matin at a slightly earlier time. These facts have not been disputed. 
Whether my inferences or interpretations are valid is quite another 
matter. As to that upon which I have laid most stress, viz., 
the disintegration and dispersal of a preponderating portion of 
the chromatin, certainly not less than 90 per cent in many cases, 
and that it has little or no subsequent function as chromatin, 
—I am still firmly convinced of its validity and of the vast sig- 
nificance it involves as to chromosome theory. 
Concerning the achromophilous condition above referred to, 
I have little to add to my previous accounts. G. T. Hargitt 
