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J. 0. AVAKEi.IN BAREATT. 
conception of the significance of these granular or rod-like 
structures found in cytoplasm. Thus it has been shown by 
Regaud^ that choudriosomes form the matrix of the secretory 
granules in the cells of the convoluted tubules of the kidney^ 
and Gi. Arnoid/ in an investigation upon the secretory activitj'^ 
of pancreatic cells, has traced the formation of zymogen 
granules by the maturation of choudriosomes. 
Various theories have been advanced in explanation of the- 
significance of choudriosomes in relation to cell functions. 
Benda regarded chondriosomes as representing a contractile 
constituent of the cell. Meves''^ has advanced the hypothesis 
that they are carriers of hereditary functions. Morerecenth' 
Regaud,'^ following Altmann and J. Arnold, has attributed to- 
chondriosomes the function of fixing and concentrating- 
various substances in the cell (fonction electique, Renaut) — 
an hypothesis which, as he observes, is not opposed to that 
of Meves, the two hypotheses rather representing different 
points of view. The conception of function advanced by 
Regaud is in complete harmony with the behaviour of 
chondriosomes in relation to secretion as exhibited by the 
cells of secretory glands. 
Observation does not appear to have been up to the present 
directed to the study of chondriosomes in morbid cell states. 
Such investigation, however, appears likely to throw further 
light upon the significance of these cell structures. 
In the present paper the condition of the chondriosomes is 
* Regaud, C. L. — ‘‘ Participation du chondriosome a la formation des. 
grains de segregation dans les cellules des tubes contourness du rein 
(chez les oiDhidiens et les ampliibiens)," ‘ Compt. Rend, de la Soc. de 
Biologie,’ 1909, t. 66. 1034. 
* Arnold. G., “ The role of the chondriosomes in the cells of the 
guinea-pig’s pancreas,” ‘ Arch. f. Zellforschung,’ 1912, B. 8. S. 252. Cp. 
L. Launoy, “ Contribution a I’etude histo-physiologique de la secretion 
pancreatique,” ‘ Arch. Internat. Phys. Liege,’ 1905, vol. iii. 
^ Meves. — Loc.cit. 
* Regaud, C. L. — “ Sur la signification physiologique du chondriome 
des cellules sexuelles inures, notamment des spermatozoides,’’ ‘ Compt. 
Rend, de la Soc. de Biologie,’ 1909, t. 66, p. 443. 
