THE MEIOTIC PHENOMENA IN BLAPS 77 
somes, the total number being sixteen, counting the multiple 
complex as one (fig. 37). 
The appearance of the chromosomes in the early prophase is 
somewhat different. Unfortunately, it was not possible to trace 
in detail all the changes the euchromosomes undergo and the 
manner in which they are brought about, because of their small 
size and to some extent also because of the methods of preser- 
vation used. The evidence on this point is so meager that I 
will offer only a short description of this interesting process, with- 
out any attempt to draw conclusions of general bearing. 
At the end of the growth period there is a diplotene stage during 
which the euchromosomes appear longitudinally double, each 
half probably representing an univalent chromosome. The diplo- 
tene stage is of a short duration, passing directly into the con- 
densed chromosomes found in later stages without an intervening 
confused stage such as occurs in other beetles. In some of the 
euchromosomes the splitting isnot complete, both halves being 
connected with each other at one of their ends, and in this way 
V’s or Y’s are formed (figs. 39 and 40, a, e). The splitting may 
also begin at both ends of the chromosome, the halves thus pro- 
duced being united at the center (fig. 40, f) often by several 
anastomoses. When they diverge at the ends X’s arise, although 
it is quite possible that in this case both halves are crossed over 
each other (fig. 40, g). 
These facts point to the existence of different methods leading 
to the formation of the condensed bivalents and, probably, these 
methods are related to individual chromosomes, but no conclusive 
evidence on this point has been obtained so far. 
No longitudinal cleft was detected in the halves of the bivalents 
at any stage of condensation. I do not know whether this is a 
special feature of this species or the result of preservation. No 
conspicuous tetrads occur, therefore, and the rings and crosses 
so characteristic of other insects were never observed. 
Once these conditions are reached, a condensation of the eu- 
chromosomes takes place to form the oval or slightly dumb-bell- 
shaped bodies found at the end of the prophase (figs. 36 and 37). 
Different steps leading to these conditions appear within the 
