416 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JUNE 
spindle, it is interesting to note that among the hundreds of 
embryo sac spindles of Lilium that passed under our observa- 
tion, multipolar spindles were found in but a single ovary. In 
jig. 9, representing an antipodal spindle, the chromatin band 
seems to be arranged in continuous loops the full length of the 
spindle. In fig. ro, representing the micropylar spindle of the 
same sac, two segments of the chromatin band are arranged 
also in continuous loops. fig. rz, from another sac of the same 
ovary, represents a strongly multipolar antipodal spindle, but 
with the chromatin band broken up into chromosomes; while 
jig. 12, the micropylar spindle from the same sac, shows a con- 
tinuous looping of the chromatin band. The significance of 
these phenomena seems quite obscure, and their normal or 
abnormal character in the case of Lilium can only be ascer- 
tained by further investigation. If they represent a normal 
phase in the development of the bipolar spindle, their rarity 
would indicate either that it is a peculiarly ephemeral phase, or 
that it is not easily recognized. If they represent another 
method of spindle formation their exceptional occurrence might 
be easily accounted for; and the same may be said of the 
hypothesis that they represent spindles disorganized by section- 
ing or reagents. In these same figures (figs. 9-72) it will be 
noticed that the reagents used have brought out abundant stria- 
tions in the cytoplasm, whose normal or abnormal character 
may be in question. 
Various phases in the eight-nucleated stage of the embryo 
sac are represented by figs. 13-16. The varying directions of 
the spindles are evident, but in general the synergid spindle is 
transverse, and the spindles which give rise to the polar nuclei 
: : are longitudinal. It is plain that the synergids are sister nuclei, 
as are also the ‘oosphere and the micropylar polar nucleus. Iti is 
also evident from the figures that if direct division occurs 
oe among the antipodal nuclei of Lilium our preparations give no 
a evidence of it. An examination of Miss Sargent’s figures," 
whi 5 | are cited as representing cases of direct division in ane 
* Annals of omer 1896. : 
