SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 139 



probably, the polar-capsule, in which case the dot would 

 be the capsulogenous-cell nucleus. The granule 

 itself is certainly not the capsule, for, in other spores, I 

 have never found the capsule to stain up at all, and 

 besides, it is very rarely terminal in position. Moreover, 

 in one instance (at x) it is distinctly double, as if the 

 nucleus had divided — as, in fact, Stenipell (I.e.) main- 

 tains it does in the spores # of TJielohania. On this view, 

 the other clear area (v.) would represent the vacuole seen 

 in the fresh condition. I am somewhat inclined to think 

 this tends to increase in size with the ripening of the 

 spore (as indicated by the number of nuclei), and I 

 suggest, tentatively, that it may have some such func- 

 tion as the oval body in the spores of Coccidium, to assist 

 in separating the valves and liberating the germ. In the 

 sporoplasrn itself, there is not much to be made out save 

 the nucleus (X). In the earlier stages this is single and 

 round, but in its most general condition in my sections 

 it has the form of a horseshoe, being drawn out prior to 

 division. Sometimes, however, as in the two upper 

 examples, it has distinctly divided into two. Stempell 

 is of the opinion that these two nuclei (representing two 

 germs, although the sporoplasrn has not divided) again 

 fuse, this action constituting a " conjugation," which is, 

 as yet, unknown for the order. This requires confirma- 

 tion before it can be accepted, as it is, a priori, most 

 unlikely that two germs, so closely related and, indeed, 

 barely separated, would conjugate ; such a proceeding 

 would be entirely without precedent. Once or twice the 

 sporoplasrn possessed three nuclei, the reason for which I 

 have not made out. 



"While revising these notes, I have received from Mr. 

 Johnstone a slide, a smear preparation, made, he writes, 

 from cysts in the otic capsule of a plaice. The car- 



