1900] MULTIPOLAR SPINDLE IN GLADIOLUS {47 
light on the subject. But while these observers all agree that 
the spindle arises from a weft of kinoplasmic threads, very few 
observations have been made on the very earliest stages of the 
development of the cones ; probably on account of the fact that 
these early stages are very difficult to obtain. In 1898, however, 
the writer was fortunate enough to obtain a very complete series 
of these early stages in the pollen-mother cells of Cobaea scandens. 
In this case it was found that, as division approaches, the nucleus 
becomes surrounded by a zone of granular substance which dif- 
fers in structure and staining properties from the rest of the 
cytoplasm. This zone is so constant that it was proposed to des- 
ignate it perikaryoplasm, and as it has been found in several 
other genera, the writer feels justified in using the term in the 
Present paper. Upon the breaking down of the nuclear wall, 
the perikaryoplasm forms a central network of kinoplasmic 
fibers which grows out into several projections. By their growth 
cutward these projections become the cones of the multipolar 
figure. The Spindle fibers are therefore formed by the elon- 
gation of the meshes of the net-work in the direction of the pro- 
Jections, 
; Encouraged by these results the writer was led to pursue his 
a of these early stages in other forms. His observa- 
ph on Gladiolus proved so interesting that it was thought 
advisable to record them, believing that they will throw further 
light on this much disputed problem. ; 
The method employed in preparing the material was practi- 
Pet hes Awe as that adopted in my work on Cobaes, namely : 
with Pi tip: solution of chromic-osmic-acetic acid, diluted 
stain haa ama of water, was used for fixing, and the triple 
would te ey enevigkel and orange G, for staining. I 
rial in the aie x emphasize the importance of fixing the seer 
Was only in th oe ae the material I have examined it 
being ree as anthers which were fixed immediately after 
Were found : 2 3 the plant that the early multipolar oo 
washed in ‘an ‘Alter being fixed the anthers were thoroughly 
ning water from six to eight hours, and were then 
