Mulfinuclealt't/ Condition of tlu: Vcrjefohiv C'cH. 47 



5). Direct divitjioii was several times seen (n. VI. 

 Iigs4, 5). 



Polygonatum multijlorum (Plate YI. fig. 6). 



Many of the cells here contained several nuclei, both in 

 tlie buuclles and ground tissue. The nuclei were very 

 evident, and there were generally several in ench nucleus. 

 One case of direct division of the nucleus I have figured 

 (PI. VI. fig. 6). 



The Work of Others in the Field Described. 



First, M. Treub asserts that he has traced all the phe- 

 nomena usually occurring in indirect nuclear division in 

 the cells of phanerogams. I have entirely failed to see 

 these phenomena, though I have carefully sought for them. 

 His opinion is that his researches have tended to lower the 

 position of the protoplasm and exalt that of the nucleus. 

 All recent researches seem to tend to the same point. 

 Hegelmaier notices that division of the nucleus is always 

 preceded by that of the neucleolus. Dr Macfarlane con- 

 firmed this ; and I have invariably found this to be the 

 case, and also believe with Dr Macfarlane that division of 

 the endo-nucleolus is the first step towards division, whether 

 direct or indirect. Johow finds that no visible change in 

 the structure of the nucleus during direct division, thus 

 dififering from Treub and agreeing with myself. He also 

 mentions that the condition of more than one nucleus in 

 the cell occurs in cells of considerable age, but in which 

 the protoplasm is still in circulation. This also I find to 

 be the case. M, Prillieux found that the nuclei divided 

 by ordinary direct division or fragmentation in the cells of 

 the roots of the plants grown in heated soil. The hyper- 

 trophied nuclei were vesicular, and the protoplasm dense 

 and finely granular, save in the centre where it was more 

 liquid. This description of the nuclei applies generally to 

 those in multinucleated cells, in so far as I observed them. 

 Strasburger has also found direct division to be the manner 

 of division of the nuclei in the vegetative cells of phanerct- 

 gams. He says, however, that it is in cells in which the 

 protoplasm has " lost its power upon the nucleus " that this 

 phenomenon occurs, while in cells in which the protoplasm 



