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1903 | GAMETOPHYTES AND EMBRYO OF TAXODIUM 9 
now exactly similar and lie side by side immediately beneath 
the central cell. The latter has increased greatly in size, as has 
also its nucleus, and the protoplasm is seen to possess a radiate 
structure. We find in the nucleus of the central cell a distinct 
peripheral network, and a nucleolus, irregular in outline and evi- 
dently of a compound nature. This kind of nucleolus, which we 
here meet for the first time, will be found to occur also in the 
nucleus of the central cell of the archegonium. In one case the 
central cell was at the tip of the pollen tube, with the two free 
nuclei behind it. One of the latter was pressed so closely to the 
protoplasm of the central cell as to indent it slightly. Such an 
abnormal relation between the generative and free nuclei has 
been noted in Pinus Laricio by Coulter (’97). 
The further changes in the central cell before its final division 
into the sperm cells are so remarkable and have been so neglec- 
ted in other conifers studied that I shall go into them with some 
detail. Fig. 27 represents the central cell after it has reached 
its full size. It is no longer spherical, but has become elliptical 
in section, the long axis being perpendicular to the axis of the 
tube. The protoplasm is seen to be radiating from the two 
poles of the long axis. At these poles are sometimes to be dis- 
tinguished slightly more granular areas, from which the radia- 
tions seem to diverge. The protoplasm is very dense, finely 
granular and in thin sections can be seen to have a reticulate 
Structure. The faint areas at the poles of the cells will at once 
Suggest in position the blepharoplasts of Ginkgo, Zamia, and 
Cycas. In reality, the resemblance is entirely confined to their 
position, Dr. Webber has kindly shown me his preparations of 
blepharoplasts in Zamia, and their intense staining and large size 
make further comparison impossible. 
The nucleus, which is about half of the diameter of the cell, 
has rather abundant reticulum and a fragmented nucleolus. In 
addition to these, there has appeared a finely granular material 
Which does not seem to differ in any respect from the linin 
Material in the egg nucieus to be described below. It is most 
abundant around the nucleolus, but extends to all parts of the 
nucleus. In jig. 27 one of the free nuclei is seen closely appressed 
