6 GEORGE T. HARGITT 



in which these cells were most abundant. The cells, of varying 

 sizes, were usually in groups, the largest cells always opposite 

 the point of emergence of a branch which bore small hydranths 

 or gonophores, while in the stem both distalwards and proximal- 

 wards the cells become smaller. The base of each hydranth or 

 gonophore pedicel seems to be the center of a group of these 

 cells, a condition suggesting their local origin. Where no gono- 

 phores are present these deeply staining cells may still be grouped 

 at different places, but the larger cells in the center of such 

 groups may be demonstrated to be at about the place where 

 gonophores develop as the colony grows. In most groups of this 

 character the cells are quite small, no large growing eggs appear- 

 ing till the gonophore begins its development. On the other 

 hand, where gonophores are forming or have formed, the adja- 

 cent group of deeply staining cells show numerous large cells and 

 few small ones. The size and location of the deeply staining 

 cells lead one to look upon them as egg cells, but it is essential 

 to secure positive evidence on this point. If these are egg 

 cells it must be further determined whether they arise in these 

 positions or have reached them by a migration from a more or 

 less distant point of origin. 



Figure 2 is an outline of an optical section of the part of the 

 stem shown at A in figure 1. While the difference in size of the 

 deeply staining cells may not be especially significant, their dif- 

 ference in position is material. Those cells which extend from 

 the supporting layer to the enteric cavity are gland cells, the 

 deeper cells which do not reach the enteric cavity are egg cells. 

 Figure 3 represents B of figure 1 and shows a number of egg 

 cells all in the process of growth. Figure 4 is a similar drawing 

 of region C of figure 1. Here most of the deeply staining cells 

 do not touch the enteric cavity; the larger ones show all the 

 characteristics of egg cells without any question, most of the 

 smaller ones are also egg cells. Figure 5 is an optical section 

 of a distal portion of a stem of the colony in a region devoid of 

 gonophores or lateral branches and hydranths. So far as the 

 staining is concerned, they are quite like the cells shown in 

 figures 2 to 4, but most of them extend the full distance from 



