1897] ZAMIA AND GINKGO 233 
tion of the nucleus have the kinoplasmic filaments centered upon 
them, is not sufficient reason for considering them to be centro- 
somes, when they differ in many other important features. Their 
origin, function, and fate are totally different from that of any 
organ known to the writer which has been considered to be a 
centrosome. If the bodies in question are compared to typical 
centrosomes such as occur in Fucus, as described by Strasburger,” 
and in Stypocaulon as described by Swingle,” the dissimilarity 
of the two organs becomes striking. The two most important 
features of a centrosome, namely, continuity from cell to cell, 
and forming the center of an aster at the pole of the spindle dur- 
ing karyokinesis are not shown by the centrosome-like bodies 
of Zamia and Ginkgo. In view of our more complete knowledge 
of the origin, function and fate of the centrosome-like bodies in 
the two plants under consideration it is evident that they must 
be considered distinct organs of the protoplasm of spermatic 
cells, having for their primary function the formation of the 
motile cilia of the antherozoids. I am not aware that any dis- 
tinguishing name has been applied to such an organ, and I would 
here suggest the name dlepharoplast*3 to distinguish them from 
other organs of the cell. 
In two exceedingly important preliminary papers recently 
presented before the German Botanical Society, Belajeff has 
described the occurrence of an organ in the spermatic cells of 
Filicinee** and Equisetinee*, which is doubtless identical with the 
blepharoplasts of Zamia and Ginkgo. They apparently origi- 
nate in the spermatic cells, since no trace of them could be dis- 
covered in the spermatic mother cell in the resting condition or 
during karyokinesis. The first changes visible in the metamor- 
a ida und Befruchtung bei Fucus. Jahrbiicher f. wissenschaftl. Bot. 
30: 369. zs 
* Zur Kenntniss der Kern- und Zelltheilung bei den Sphacelariaceen. Jahrbiicher 
f. wissenschaftl. Bot. 30: 326. 1897. 
From Bredapis, evelash or ply and wAaaTos, formed. 
“Ueber den Nebenkern in spermatogenen Zellen und die Spermatogenese bei 
den Farnkraiitern. Berichte d. deutsch. bot. Ges. 15: 337- July 1897. 
*SUeber die Spermatogenese bei den Schachtelhalmen. Berichte d. deutsch. 
bot. Ges. 15: 339. July 1897. 
