1900] ACHROMATIC SPINDLE OF OSMUNDA 371 
takes the shape of a shallow cup with the concavity towards the 
center of the cell. 
If there is any synapsis in the second division, it is repre- 
sented by the case of fig. 73. It will be interesting to compare 
this with the conditions prevailing at synapsis of the mother 
cell. In fig. 77, as in the synapsis formerly described, the chro- 
matin is bunched on the side of the cell most remote from the 
greater mass of kinoplasm. In this case it is easy to under- 
stand how these conditions have arisen from those preexisting. 
Whether the relation of the chromatin to the kinoplasm is deter- 
mined in the mother cell in the same manner, by the position of 
the last preceding spindle, it is impossible to say, om account of 
the long rest which the mother cell passes through. If it is so 
determined, it argues strongly for the organic continuity of the 
Kinoplasm, or at least of some specific substance which retains 
@ definite position in the cell and reacts on the cytoplasm so as 
0 cause it, at the proper time, to be transformed into a fibrillar 
texture and organize the spindle. It should be remembered, 
however, that the first visible signs of approaching division in 
the mother cell are intranuclear, hence so far as we can judge 
ftom appearances, if the stimulus to division originates from 
‘ome special region or structure, and not from the activity of 
the cell as a unit, we must assume that the primary impetus pro- 
feeds from the chromatin. 
Apparently the preparations within 
os, and those in the cytoplasm, 
“1 equal rapidity relatively to each other, 
with cases in which the second spindles are well formed, while 
the nuclear membrane is still unbroken, and others in which the 
ag membrane is gone and the chromosomes of ane second 
well organized, while the spindle is still very genes 
Vatiably, however, the development of the second spindle 
Siege by an accumulation of material along those eee : | 
© daughter nuclei which were in contact with the old spin e. 
: fibers first appear in this region also, and the spindle as 
*en in sections across this part of the cell is bipolar from the 
the nucleus for the sec- 
do not always progress 
for one may meet 
