BEHAVIOUR OF CELLS 13 
beginning to divide. In = the process is carried a step 
further, while in F the cell has completely divided into two : 
the rods have disappeared as such, and are replaced by a net- 
work; a new nuclear membrane has been formed, and the 
- minute body has again divided preparatory to the further 
division of the cell. 
E~ A 
Fie. 3.—Cell-division. 
Such, stripped as far as possible of technicalities, are some 
of the facts concerning the behaviour of cells and their nuclei 
during the process of cell-multiplication. No good purpose 
would be subserved by pretending that we fully understand 
them. The splitting of the rods does indeed seem an efficient 
means to the end of securing a fair division of the nuclear 
substance, which, according to many biologists, is the organic 
bearer of hereditary qualities in the cells. But that is nearly 
all that we can say. Is the process accompanied by some form 
of sentience? We do not know. That it is controlled and 
guided by any consciousness in the cell is most improbable. But 
if it be a purely organic and unconscious process it should at 
least impress on our minds the fact that such organic be- 
haviour may reach a high degree of delicacy and complexity. 
