124 RECORDS 



in normal fertilization is not primarily due to the union of the 

 sperm-nucleus, or sperm-centrosome, with the egg-nucleus, but 

 to a general stimulus of the ovum effected by the entrance of 

 the spermatozoon. Apart from the different character of the 

 stimulus, this transformation of the egg-nucleus does not differ 

 essentially from that taking place in the magnesium eggs. This 

 is proved by the fact that in etherized eggs the egg-nucleus 

 may undergo the karyokinetic transformation without union with 

 the spcrni-micleiis or centrosome — an observation which agrees 

 with the much earlier results of O. and R. Hertwig on eggs 

 treated \\\t\\ chloral hydrate. In normal fertilization this activ-' 

 ity of the egg-nucleus is modified through its union with an 

 active individualized sperm-centrosome, the presence of which 

 inhibits the formation of an egg-centrosome such as occurs in 

 the magnesium eggs. 



The paper was discussed by Mr. Bigelow, Dr. Calkins, and 

 Dr. Linville. 



Professor F. S. Lee stated that rigor mortis is characterized by 

 :a shortening of the muscles of the body, accompanied by a 

 coagulation of the contents of the muscle cells. The nature of 

 the phenomenon is disputed. Hermann has long insisted that 

 it is analogous to muscular contraction and is the final vital act 

 of the dying muscle cell. 



In connection with the studies of muscle fatigue, the author, 

 with Mr. C. C. Harrold, has made some observations on cat's 

 muscle, which seem to contradict Hermann's conclusion. Fast- 

 ing, which is characterized especially by a diminution of the/ree 

 carbohydrates in muscle, hastens the oncoming of rigor mortis. 

 The administration of the peculiar drug, phlorhizin, which elimi- 

 nates both the free and the combined carbohydrates, has a 

 similar but much more pronounced effect. On the other hand, 

 the ingestion of grape-sugar by a phlorhizinized animal, delays 

 rigor. Hence the conclusion seems justified that the absence of 

 carbohydrates is favorable, and their presence unfavorable to the 

 development of rigor mortis. As regards the ability of the 

 muscle to contract, carbohydrates have exactly the opposite 

 effect, their absence being unfavorable and their presence favor- 



