THE MEIOTIC PHENOMENA IN BLAPS 79 
vails. At the end of the prophase they are as condensed as the 
euchromosomes. 
In many complexes only one small chromosome is seen (figs. 38, 
39, and 41, e), if they are seen at all, the number of euchromo- 
somes in the cell being the normal. Their presence in the com- 
plex is, however, evident since the number of the euchromosomes 
is not increased, a fact still clearer in the metaphase. But an 
even more conclusive proof is their appearance in the early 
anaphase, which shows that, at least in some cases, they are 
placed between the X and one of the M-chromosomes, which 
fact may also account for the unequal length of the arms of the 
V-shaped complex, very conspicuous in some cases. 
In sharp contrast with the conditions described in the eu- 
chromosomes, the components of the X-complex never appear 
split lengthwise, either during the short diplotene stage or in 
subsequent stages of the prophase. In figure 30 of my first paper 
(14) I have represented one of the M-chromosomes as split, 
but this must have been an abnormal condition since I have not 
been able to find a similar cleft in other cases. 
The only change undergone by the complex consists of a con- 
densation of its components (with the exception of the already 
condensed X-chromosome); this process takes place in several 
regions (chromomeres) along the chromosomes, hence their seg- 
mented appearance. Very often the V-shape of the complex is 
not assumed until the late prophase, the M-chromosomes appear- 
ing in early stages united by their free ends, almost parallel in 
some instances, curved as to form a ring in others, and in not 
a few cases crossed over each other (fig. 41, a, e). 
Metaphase. Figures 42 to 47 show polar views of metaphases 
drawn from different individuals, with the exception of figure 46, 
which shows four optical sections of a metaphase seen in lateral 
view. Inspection of such figures shows the irregular position of 
the euchromosomes with regard to the X-complex, which may 
occupy the center of the plate or may be located at the periphery; 
very often it is placed at a different level. Although its presence 
in normal spermatocytes is absolutely invariable, its shape is 
highly inconstant. In favorable cases all five components can 
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, VOL. 34, No. 1 
