234 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
phosis of the spermatic cells occur in these organs. They 
gradually become extended into a thread which assumes the 
form of a helicoid spiral of which the extended turns of the pos- 
terior end surround the nucleus. The cilia of the antherozoids 
are developed from the anterior end of this spiral, appearing first 
as small protuberances on the thread, which finally become 
greatly extended and form the cilia. It is remarkable that in the 
comparatively very small spermatic cells of the Filicinee and 
Equisetinez Belajeff should have been able to trace so accurately 
the method of formation of the ciliiferous band and cilia. The 
process which he describes as occurring in these plants is identi- 
cal in all essential features with that which I have described in 
Zamia, and its publication was almost simultaneous with that of 
my article. 
From previous observations on the spermatogenesis of 
Characee Belajeff is inclined to think that the same organ 
occurs there also.® He further calls attention to the occur- 
rence of somewhat similar organs in the spermatic cells of certain 
animals, 
Belajeff’s studies greatly strengthen the view that the 
blepharoplasts are distinct organs of the cell, differing from 
centrosomes, and strongly indicates that they occur very gen- 
erally in the spermatic cells of Filicinee, Equisetinez, and 
Cycadacee, if, indeed, they are not of universal occurrence 1n 
the spermatic cells of plants and animals. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE X. 
Zamia integrifolia. 
Fic. 1. Archegonium immediately before fecundation by the nucleus 
of the antherozoid, separated from the ciliiferous band and cytoplasm, lying 
in the protoplasm at the apex: 0, oosphere ; #m, male nucleus; 4, portion 
of ciliiferous band. x 30. F 
IG. 2. Antherozoid in cytoplasm at apex of the archegonium, with 
nucleus separated from the ciliiferous band and cytoplasm. X 100. 
6A more detailed account of Belajeff’s discoveries is given under “ Notes for 
Students,” p. 302 of this number. 
ISS Stee RAN tre 
a 
