ALTM ANN'S VIEWS 195 



tion, assimilation, and growth" (p. 119), produced by 

 differentiation of the primitively structureless, homogeneous 

 protoplasm. I think I need hardly point out that the so- 

 called protoplasmic reticulum which Vejdowsky describes 

 in the ripe ova of Rhynclielmis, is not a real protoplasmic 

 structure, but a coarse protoplasmic framework which 

 remains free of yolk. He himself was also forced to this 

 assumption (p. 120), without, however, being able to find 

 the true protoplasmic structure in this reticulum. On the 

 other hand, he certainly has observed a great deal of the 

 real protoplasmic structure in the so-called attraction spheres 

 at the ends of the nuclear spindles, periplasts as he terms them. 

 Finally, since 1886, Altmann has made thorough studies of 

 the protoplasmic granules, in the course of which he has 

 arrived at views similar to those already originated at an 

 earlier period by Bechamp, and especially by Martin. It is 

 an incontestable merit of Altmann's to have proved that in 

 protoplasm there occur probably quite universally numerous 

 granules, capable of being strongly stained with certain 

 aniline colours. On the other hand, he decidedly goes too 

 far in his conclusions concerning these so-called " granula," 

 as well as in the theory of the constitution of protoplasm 

 founded upon them. 



If we wish to give an account of Altmann's views and 

 their merits, we must first trace their gradual development 

 for a little, since they have undergone certain modifications 

 in the course of time. IJn 1886 Altmann first brought 

 forward the proof that the protoplasm of almost all cells 

 contained granules, which he himself first discovered in a 

 number of cells. It is rather a motley collection which is 

 here brought together under the head of granules. ( First come 

 the chlorophyll granules of the vegetable cell ; then pigment 

 granules of all kinds, the granulations of the plasma cells 

 (Waldeyer), of leucocytes (Ehrlich), the granules of the 

 pancreas, liver, and other gland cells, the eleidin granules 

 of cornified cells, and the yolk granules or yolk discs of the 

 protoplasm of the egg, are all included here. On the ground 

 of Altmann's later work we can also count fat granules and 

 fat drops, which are supposed to be produced by modification 



