THE PROBLEM OF SEX IN PLANTS 



359 



in the gametophytes of the Horsetails (Chapter XXIV), 

 which are usually differentiated into larger ones (female) 

 and smaller ones (male); but under certain conditions 

 (apparently involving differences of nutrition), the female 

 gametophytes may bear antheridia, and the male gameto- 

 phytes archegonia. 



2. Effect of Constitution of Germ-cells. If sex is not de- 

 termined by external conditions by environment then 



Zygote 

 Hale 



'(xo or 



Sperm 

 No-X f or Y 



Sperm 

 -class 



Egg (X) 



(XX) 

 Zygote 

 Female 



FIG. 265. Diagram to illustrate determination of sex by the 

 ^-chromosome. 



its explanation must lie in the internal constitution of the 

 germ-cells in their chemical, physical, or morphological 

 differences. Remarkably careful and accurate observa- 

 tion has, in fact, revealed a constant and fundamental 

 morphological difference in the germ-cells of animals. 

 It has been found, for example in some insects, that the 

 nucleus of every egg possesses a certain clearly distinguished 

 chromosome, called the ^-chromosome, 1 while in the 



1 The x, as in algebra, indicating an unknown, or not understood, 

 factor. 



