172 THE MICROSCOPE. 
placenta, and having found at last the micropyle, it has to reach the 
embryo sac to accomplish there, in contact with the dosphere the act 
of copulation. 
Mr. Strassburger, in his book published in Jena in 1884, 
entitled “Neue Untersuchungen iiber den Befruchtungsvorgang bei 
den Phanerogamer” (New Investigations concerning the Fertilization 
of the Phanerogams), makes on this subject the following remarks. 
I translate: 
“The act of copulation is initiated by the two cell nuclei 
becoming flattened by coming in contact with each other, remaining, 
however, separated by their cell walls. These double cell walls become 
now indistinct, and finally disappear completely, so that the two cell 
walls merge into one. Each of the nuclear threads (Kernfaden) 
forms a framework, and is thus brought into immediate contact with 
the other. They do not penetrate each other, but only come in 
contact. A mixing of the substance of both nuclear threads does 
not take place; only their framework come in contact, without 
actually fusing together. An actual mixture only takes place 
between the fluid portion of the nuclei (Kernsaft) and eventually of 
the nucleoli. The morphologically differentiated elements of the 
nuclei do not permeate each other; this is only the case with the 
undifferentiated elements.” 
If I understand aright the foregoing remarks, it seems to me 
the process of fertilization as outlined by Mr. Strassburger, is about 
the same as indicated by me. I claim that the fertilizing fluid 
contained in the pollen is taken up by the conducting tissue, perme- 
ates the same in all its ramifications down to the micropyle of the 
ovules, while Mr. Strassburger and his followers make the 
conducting tissue the roadbed on which the pollen-tubes have to 
travel to their final destination. 
New OR LEAns. 
Mr. Greorce M. Berincer, examining a sample of ground fiax- 
seed, found that it was adulterated with corn meal to the extent of 
about forty per cent. ‘The adulteration of ground flax-seed with 
such material is,” he says, ‘‘ likely quite common, and may be easily 
detected by the test for starch. It is a well known fact that, 
although flax-seed may contain starch while growing, in the fully- 
matured seed the starch is entirely converted into albumen and oil. 
The writer suggests that the Pharmacopceia should require flax-seed 
to give with iodine no reaction for starch.” 
