126 w. ARCHER. 
reticulated arrangement of the “spindles” (not now of fusi- 
form figure) may be seen in the interior of the central mass, 
suggesting their arrangement along “ tracks” enveloped by 
the general substance, but this is only conjectural (Pl. VI). 
In doth Cienkowski’s and the present form the tracks give 
off branches and incorporate with others which they cross, 
admitting of the spindles taking very circuitous routes. 
In Cienkowski’s forms he mentions that the tracks (rigid 
as they seem at first) by and by take on “‘a mucous consis- 
tence, more or less enveloping the spindles,” and they form 
“‘ knot-like expansions, in which vacuoles occur,” but not- 
withstanding these facts, the author regards the tracks in such 
condition as only “ most deceptively presenting the appear- 
ance of a protoplasm-plate.” In our form the tracks seem 
to be given off from the central mass (pseudopodium-fashion) , 
and can be wholly or partially retracted. 
Cienkowski denies to the spindles any power of motion- 
except in connection with the tracks, but in both of his and 
in the present form these have the power spontaneously to 
leave the general crowd inside the central mass, at first with- 
out apparent contact with a track, then (proprio motu) to 
mount the one along which it is to make its journey. 
But, further, in connection with a fungal the identity of 
which was unknown to the author himself, Cienkowski had 
previously drawn attention to a filamentary form of plasmo- 
dium, with “ spindles” moving along the threads.’ This(“ fun- 
gal’’) he describes thus (curtailed):—‘‘ Upon culture of these 
for some time upon a slide | found the entire field covered over 
byabranched network of threads,which here and there showed 
fusiform thickenings. Upon following the course of these 
threads for certain distances, large differently shaped colourless 
protoplasma-masses were encountered, from which the whole 
structure drew its material as from a reservoir—so to say, 
budded out from it. Upon attentive examination of the 
plasma-agegregates, it rendered itself apparent that, at any 
place thereof, a projection or prominence first makes its ap- 
pearance. ‘This prominence becomes constricted at its base, 
assumes a fusiform figure, then, removed from the principal 
mass, drawing a thread with it. In the same way sprouts 
out from the protoplasm a new spindle, which likewise thins 
off at its base into a thread and follows the one first formed. 
Whilst thus continuously new spindles and threads proceed 
from the main reservoir, and become carried along the 
‘track’ (‘ Fadenbahn’), the whole thread creeps forwards, 
1 Cienkowski; “ Das Plasmodium,” in Pringsheim’s ‘Jahrbicher fiir 
wiss. Bot.’ Bd. iii, p. 408. 
