34 



Zinmermarm observed that in the perianth of Funkia coerulea the 

 elaioplasts possess an active movement of displacement and of rotation virhich, 

 also, I J too, was atle to demonstrate and which I observed to be characteristic 

 of elaioplasts in the form of grape-like clusters* 



In regard to the position of the elaioplasts it is to be noted that 

 with rare exceptions they are foiind in the epidermis of the floral organs. 

 Their presence in the other organs is inconstant. 



Their multiplication may obtain after three months, by neoplasia of the 

 protoplasm; by gemmation; or by division, which takss place passively. The 

 first constitutes the normal method of multiplication, the second is rarojf, 

 the third and last represents an exception and accompanies b, division of the 

 plant cell. A typical example of the multiplication by gemmation may be 

 observed in the epidermis of the scales of new b\xlbs of Omithogalum caudatum ; 

 while the passive division occurs during the division of the dpidermal cells 

 of the floral axis, of the ovary, and of the perianth lobes of Polianthes 

 tuberosa. 



So far as concerns the biological study of the elaioplasts, from the 

 scope of the surprising and varied stages of their development, and the as- 

 signment to them, in so far as possible, of functional significance, rsa- ob- 

 servations were repeated, not only upon vegetative organs, of ma^ Liliaceae 

 and Amaryllidaceae, but also on their bulbs examined in diverse conditions 

 with regard to the age of the bulb as well as stage of vegetative activity or 



donnancy. The authors who preceded me in the study of the elaioplasts were 

 not able to study all the phases of their development since they [the 

 elaioplasts] do not occupy such reserve organs. 



