CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS OF THE GKRM-CELLS. 577 
stages that at this period one has difficulty in distinguishing 
the mitochondria, which are sometimes quite big and ring- 
shaped, from the Nebenkern elements. 
As will be seen on inspection of PL 32, fig. 24 a, the mito- 
chondria may be quite large and appear as hollow spheres. 
When the cell division is in the metaphase the mitochondria 
and Nebenkern elements become mixed, and I am unable to 
say that the asters in any way affect the rodlets, as has been 
claimed by Murray. 1 In some cases one seems to be satisfied 
that the spindle-fibres do exert some influence; in others the 
opposite seems to be the case. In almost, if not all, meta- 
phases I have examined, I feel with regard to this question 
that the Scotch verdict, “ not proven,” is the safest view to 
take. Should a specific stain either for mitochondria or for 
the rodlets of the Nebenkern be found, it may be possible to 
throw some clearer light upon this question. 
In PL 32, fig. 22, a second maturation division is shown. 
The mitochondria are hollow spheres, appearing as ringlets, 
and here and there lie the elements of the Nebenkern, which 
I can positively identify. The spermatid of this small-rodlet 
generation almost always has a nucleus which contains a 
greater number of karyosomes 2 than the sort drawn in PL 33, 
fig. 35. The Nebenkern elements in the example drawn in 
PL 32, fig. 26, were very small, and at this stage evidently 
just collecting after cell division. It will be noted in all these 
stages except the one drawn in PL 32, fig. 27, that the cell 
is angular in shape, from the abutting neighbouring cells 
pressing on each side. 
When the spermatid begins to metamorphose tke micro- 
mitochondria appear, and the Nebenkern is formed as shown 
in PL 32, fig. 24 a. Curiously enough, the sperm head in the 
early stages of its transformation is generally irregular in 
1 I have since found that in division the batonettes do lie in the zone 
of the asters. 
2 See PI. 34, fig. 48 a, b, c, where spermatid nuclei from different 
regions are drawn to show variation in karyosomes. The bulk of the 
karyosome matter does not vary much, only number. 
