1914] ELKINS—MATURATION IN SMILAX 49 
somes which continue to shorten and thicken, producing the char- 
acteristic gemini of diakinesis. ’ 
7. The separation of homologous chromosomes at the meta- 
phase proceeds as usual. At this stage the chromosomes frequently 
show a split preparatory for the second division. 
8. At the telophase a nuclear membrane appears. During 
interkinesis the chromatin is in the form of a band, apparently 
wound about the periphery of the nucleus. The band seems to be 
split or slightly vacuolate. 
2 9. With the formation of the spindle of the second division the 
nuclear membrane disappears and the chromatic band resolves into 
chromosomes. 
to. At the homotypic metaphase the longitudinal halves of 
the chromosomes separate. 
11. The method of reduction in Smilax herbacea essentially 
coincides with the “hétérohoméotypique” scheme of GREGOIRE. 
12. The persistent chromatic body in Smilax is a smaller unit 
than the chromosome. 
13. The pairing of chromatic bodies was observed in the pro- 
phase, but not as a universal phenomenon. The same condition 
was evident in the nuclei of the nucellus. 
14. An effort to find a sex determinant in Smilax was futile. 
The writer wishes to express her indebtedness to Professor 
A. W. Evans for suggesting this study and for his helpful advice 
and criticism. 
Yate University 
New Haven, Conn. 
LITERATURE CITED 
1. ALLEN, C. E., Nuclear division in the pollen mother cells of Lilium cana- 
se. Ann. Botany 19:189-258. pls. 6-9. 1905. 
3. Bencus, Jutes, La formation des chromosomes hétérotypiques dans la 
Sporogénése végétale. IV. La Cellule 22:141-160. pls. 1, 2. 1905. 
» Le noyau et le cinése chez le Spirogyra. La Cellule 23:55-86. 
bls. 1-3. 1906. 
4 Bowner, Jean, Sur le groupement par pairs des chromosomes dans les 
hoyaux diploides. Archiv. Zellforsch. 7:231-242. pls. 21, 22. 1911. 
