ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
203 
Nucleus and Sexual-cells of Cryptogams.* — Dr. P. Schottliinder 
recapitulates the results obtained by previous observers with regard to 
the difference in the staining reactions of the elements of the male and 
female cells in animals and plants, and confirms, in a general way, the 
statements of Auerbach, Posen, Guignard, and others. The method 
followed was that of fixing by Rabl’s solution — 3 or 4 drops of concen- 
trated formic acid in 100 ccm. of 0*33 per cent, chromic acid. The 
staining was effected by Rosen’s acid-fuchsin methylin-blue method. 
The chief points of the author’s own observations are as follows. 
The cytoplasm and all substances contained in it, chromatophores and 
granules, are stained exclusively red, the enclosed substances taking a 
deeper tint than the microsomes of the protoplasm, which are arranged 
in a more or less wide-meshed network. In the sexual cells this is 
denser, and takes a deeper colour, than in the vegetative cells. The 
nucleus consists, with a few exceptions, of two substances, one of which 
is stained blue, the other red. The blue substance forms the reticulate 
framework, the meshes of which are very narrow ; the network consists 
of very fine slightly stained threads; at the points of junction of these 
are granules which stain a deeper blue. The ovum-nuclei, which con- 
tain no blue substance, have a network with wider meshes, and contain a 
number of nucleoli, and a nuclear membrane which stains red. In the 
spermatozoa, which proceed from the nucleus, there are nuclear sub- 
stances, one red and the other blue, of which the former forms the 
groundwork, the latter the spiral envelope. 
The details are then given of the author’s observations in the cases 
of the following cryptogams, — Gymnogramme chrysophylla, Aneura pinguis, 
Marchantia polymorpha, and Ohara foetida. In the spermatozoa of Gym- 
nogramme the apparent transverse striation is the result of a spiral 
envelope of the blue substance which coils round the substance of the 
band composed of a red substance. No “ germinal spot ” could be 
detected in the ovum-cell in this or other instances ; the phenomenon 
so described being the result of a misinterpretation. 
In all vegetative nuclei the nucleole consists of a red substance. No 
attraction-spheres (tinoleucites) were observed in any vegetative cells. 
The number of coils of the spermatozoa is 3-4 for Cliar a, 3^ for Aneura , 
2J for Gymnogramme , and less than 1 for Marchantia. In the sperma- 
tozoa of Marchantia tinoleucites, or at least their centrosomes, were 
observed in all stages of development ; they were also seen in Gymno- 
gramme and Ohara , and are probably an essential constituent of sperma- 
tozoa. The ovum-nucleus contains no blue substance, which, on the 
other hand, forms at all events the greater part of the constituents of the 
spermatozoa. The author believes that the cytoplasm of the male cells 
plays a not unimportant part in impregnation ; at least the cilia are 
formed from it. 
The difference in the staining reactions of the male and female nuclei 
is accompanied by a difference in their finer structure ; the ovum-nucleus 
has a nuclear membrane, which is wanting in the spermatozoon ; 
nucleoles are wanting in the male nuclei, while they are large and 
* Beitr. z. Biol. d. Pflanzen (Cohn), vi. (1892) pp. 267-302 (2 pis.). 
Journal, 1892, p. 516. 
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