42 SPERMATIC PARTICLES. 



Type A. Each filament arises from a special cell, bj the increased growth of 

 whose walls it passes into an elongated or filamentous condition. 



Type B. Out of each cell formed springs a bundle of seminal filaments. 



Type C. The filaments are developed in crowds within large cells, probably in 

 an analogous manner to the generation of the primitive muscular fibres. 



Type D. Each filament arises within a special cell. 



Type E. The filaments are formed in bundles from minute granular cells, these 

 cells becoming dissolved, as it were, into each other, and assuming a delicate filamental 

 form. 



Of these, types A and D I think I have myself observed. The other three, I think, 

 may be included under the head of the Fasciculus mode. I have, on a preceding page, 

 expressed my doubts, and the reasons for them, of the reality of this mode of genesis. 



The other two forms merit our attention. 



1st. Genesis out o/'nucleated cells. In the ovum fecundated and segmented we have 

 this peculiarity ; namely, that the homogeneous individual parts blend together and lose 

 their individuality as such, for the formation of a perfect whole, the vitelline cells dissolve 

 and mingle, and their characteristics as individuals are lost. Nevertheless, holding to the 

 view which I have some time ago announced of cell-types as the basis of all higher types, 

 it must be that each of these vitelline cells is a miniature and correct representation of 

 the whole ovum ; and therefore, could morphological changes sufficiently minute occur 

 within it, it would form a new being exactly like that resulting from hundreds together. 



Exactly so is it with the Spermatozoa. Each of the subdivided vitelline cells 

 represents the whole, and instead of all dissolving together to form one large body, each 

 forms the same body in miniature, and this is in this form accomplished by a slight 

 modification of the cell, which forms the body or anterior extremity of the particle. 



In these cases, it is very probable that the nucleus of the cell plays an important 

 part. But whether or not it is the chief agent I am unprepared to say. This kind 

 of elono-ation, this metamorphosis, has its analogue in the organizable cells of the higher 

 tissues, and must be considered indicative of a higher vitality, seeking its expression 

 in a metamorphosis of form above the cell grade, a view still better borne out by the 

 fact, that, in the cephalic portions of some, the nucleus is persistent. Thus reminding 

 one of the higher metamorphotic tissues, where the nuclei, the only indices of their 

 former cell-days, have not passed away. 



2d. Genesis in cells. In this case, each of the divided cells serves as a parent, in 

 which is developed a particle. AVhen fully developed, they rest upon the side, their 

 cephalic portion appearing to form a portion of the parietes with the caudate portion 



