334 E. T. Bell, 



fat droplets by accumulation of fat. He also held that fat droplets 

 in all tissues arise from fuchsinophile granules. 



Metzner [1890] attempted to trace the origin of fat droplets from 

 fuchsinophile granules in the primitive fat organs of the cat. His main 

 arguments were: 1. the differences in intensity of staining among the 

 granules, and 2. the demonstration of so-called "ring" granules. Osmic 

 acid was used as the fat stain. Löwenstein [1908] found that in the 

 axillary fat of the new-horn child, stained with osmic acid or sudan III, 

 great differences are to he found in the intensity of the stain on the fat 

 droplets. This fact he takes as evidence supporting Metzner's view. 



My observations have shown conclusively that the staining- 

 intensity of the liposomes may be varied by feeding or starving the 

 animal. There are nearly always marked differences in staining-inten- 

 sity among them. This proves that the liposome takes up fat, but it does 

 not prove that it comes from a fuchsinophile granule. 



As to Metzner's second point (the "ring" granules) Starke has shown 

 that this appearance is an artefact. It does not appear except after the 

 use of strong alcohol. A frozen section of fresh tissue stained in osmic 

 acid does not show ring granules. Heidenhain [1907], after a thorough 

 discussion, concludes that the origin of fat droplets from fuchsinophile 

 granules has not been established. My observations support Heiden- 

 hain 's view. 



The only liposomes demonstrable by Altmann's granule method 

 are those that stain brown or black. Fuchsinophile granules may be 

 demonstrated in the sarcoplasm of the muscle fiber, but in vertebrate 

 muscle at least, there is no evidence to warrant the view that they 

 develop into liposomes. The fuchsinophile interstitial granules of verte- 

 brate muscle are not visible in the fresh tissue. 



In the wing muscles of insects (Phlegethontius, and Musca) in June 

 at least, the large Q-granules are visible in the fresh tissue, and stain 

 red by Altmann's granule method. These are not liposomes. If it be true, 

 as stated by Holmgren and Kölliker, that these granules under certain 

 conditions change into fat droplets, then the origin of fat droplets from 

 fuchsinophile granules must be conceded. 



Relation of the liposomes to Arnold's plasmosomes. Arnold macerates 



