16 PAULINE H. DEDERER 
nucleus, the plasmosomes are extremely variable. Figure 55 B 
is a plasmosome from a similar nucleus, very irregular in form and 
encrusted with chromatin granules. In some cases the granules 
adhere in such numbers as practically to obscure the plasmosome. 
Figure 56 is typical of older nurse cells. The nuclear wall 
appears to be thrown into a number of folds, beset with chro- 
matin granules, which frequently obscure the wall. The nuclear 
cavity contains as before, clumps of granules and plasmosomes. 
The cytoplasm immediately surrounding the nucleus ‘has become 
much broader, forming a conspicuous dark ring which merges 
into the flask-shaped region. The reticular portion of the cy- 
toplasm is smaller in extent. Frequently at this stage or later, 
there appear very pale delicate cytoplasmic lines in the flask- 
shaped region, converging down into the tubular portion, prob- 
ably indicating a transfer of material into the egg cell. In 
figure 56 two nurse tubes are shown, the egg cell into which they 
open not being indicated. The tubes appear longer than in 
the early stages, and are irregularly constricted in places, often 
apparently forming a series of rings lying upon each other. There 
appears to be a thin homogeneous membrane forming a distinct 
wall to the tube; this is not a continuation of the cell wall, but 
is formed at the edge of the flask-shaped cytoplasm, and passes 
through the cell wall (fig. 54). In Eacles imperialis and Telea 
polyphemus a similar condition was observed, although the 
tubes here are not so prominent. 
In figure 57 a later stage of the nurse cells is shown, drawn 
to the same scale as figure 56. Here the nurse cells are consider- 
ably larger than before, yet smaller than the egg. The flask- 
shaped region, circular granular region and nuclear cavity ap- 
pear as previously indicated. The plasmosomes are covered 
with granules, and single strands of more prominent granules 
partly line and extend down into the circular region. Only two 
nurse cells are figured here. The total number for each egg is 
five, which can be readily determined by following through a 
series of transverse sections. Gross (’03) also found five in other 
Lepidoptera. In figure 57 and other similar sections, the fol- 
licle cells are arranged in a layer around the groups of eggs and 
