44 SITVIBIONTICISM AND THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES 



one should assume that mitochondria are "passive" bodies, 

 if one accepts the statement that they have selective and 

 secretory properties. These properties of selecting sub- 

 stances from the environment and elaborating "infinitely 

 diverse products" is one of the outstanding characteristics 

 of bacteria and all living matter. 



In discussing the mechanism of secretion it becomes 

 necessary to consider briefly, ideas recently advanced on 

 the functional significance of the Golgi apparatus. This 

 cell structure was first demonstrated in gland cells by 

 Negri ('99). Numerous investigations have been con- 

 ducted upon the Golgi apparatus, but until recently no 

 acceptable idea as to its function has been advanced. 

 Nassonov ('23) after painstaking investigations arrived at 

 significant conclusions regarding its activities. He believes 

 that secretion is intimately connected with the Golgi ap- 

 paratus and has offered various suggestions regarding the 

 probable nature of the mechanism through which it acts. 

 More recently Bowen ('24) has presented other evidence in 

 support of Nassonov's conclusions. Bowen quotes oppos- 

 ing views of investigators as to the role played by mito- 

 chondria in secretion, and states: 'Tn view therefore of 

 the conflicting statements of fact and the known sources 

 of error, it appears probable that the origin of secretory 

 granules from mitochondria, ergastoplasm, and related 

 cytoplasmic elements must be looked upon as unproved 

 and of doubtful utihty as a working hypothesis." 



While space will not permit an extensive discussion of 

 these apparently conflicting views on secretion, it is perti- 

 nent to direct attention to other investigations which appear 

 to offer a solution of the difficulties. Two papers in partic- 

 ular were pubhshed in 1925 which are significant in this 

 connection. Hirschler ('25) emphasizes the fact that mito- 

 chondria and the Golgi apparatus are similar in staining 

 reactions. Karpova ('25) concludes from observations on 



