146 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
Occurring in such a wide range of forms, and having beet 
demonstrated by various methods of fixing and staining, it 
seems extremely improbable that the phenomenon is abnormal 
or due to artifact. Such a conclusion is much strengthened by 
the fact that in none of the higher plants has the animal type 
of spindle formation been discovered. While it is true that 
some investigators (Guignard, Schaffner, Fullmer, etc.) have 
described and figured granules situated at the poles of the spit 
dle, and thus in some respects resembling centrosomes, in 10_ 
case have such granules been observed to take an actual partif 
the formation of the achromatic figure as it occurs in animals 
Assuming then that the multipolar type is the normal type 
of spindle formation in the higher plants, since Strasburget | 
and other authorities cannot reconcile the function of a kineti¢ ; 
center with such a process, we are confronted with two problems 
namely, the manner in which the multipolar spindle become : 
bipolar, and the origin of the cones. 
No explanation has yet been offered that will reasonably — 
account for the ultimate bipolarity of the spindle beyond ait 
mere statement that certain of the cones fuse and arramge 
themselves in two groups. Such an explanation was first sug- ; 
gested by Belajeff (1894), and was later confirmed by Osterhout 
(1897), Mottier (1897), and others. How this fusion is broup® 
about is still uncertain. Even Guignard (1898), who descim 
centrosomes situated at the apices of the cones in Nymp 
and Nuphar, states that he is ‘‘unable to suggest, at present 
what manner the multipolar spindle becomes bipolar.” So = 
with or without centrosomes the phenomenon is unacce 
for, and we must therefore wait for the light of future investig® 
tion. 
On the origin and development of the cones much 
encouraging results have been obtained. The investien 
Belajeff (1894) and Strasburger (1896) on Larix, pee 
(1897) on Equisetum, Mottier (1897) on Lilium, Juel (1897)' 
Hemerocallis, and more recently those of Nemec on ©” 
and Allium, and Davis on Anthoceros, have thrown comsi®® 
