6r4 Wolfe . — Cy to logical Studies on Nemalion . 
begins to develop into a procarp by sending out the trichogyne, which 
consists of a small finger-like protoplasmic process surrounded by a 
distinct wall ; while the chromatophore and the primary egg-nucleus, both 
normally organized, assume their characteristic positions in the basal 
portion as indicated in Fig. 3. A little later the tip of the trichogyne 
becomes much swollen, and in this swollen portion an unmistakable nucleus 
is always present, which, although the mitotic figure has not been seen, 
must be assumed to have resulted from the division of the primary nucleus 
of the procarp. After this division the egg-nucleus, as it may now be 
called, lies in that portion of the procarp immediately above the chroma- 
tophore. Very probably it migrates to this position as a preparation for 
this mitosis, but such procedure is unusual, and it is but fair to call 
attention to the fact that it is not a phenomenon usually accompanying 
mitosis in this plant. While actual division of the primary nucleus was not 
observed, these conditions presented in Fig. 4, which were seen in several 
cases, can hardly be explained on any other supposition. Figs. 5 and 6, 
in which the egg-nucleus has returned to its characteristic position, make 
clear the fact that this occurrence is not to be explained upon the assump- 
tion of an artifact. At all events a well-marked nucleus is now present in 
the trichogyne. The wall of the trichogyne, which has hitherto been 
relatively thick, now becomes extremely thin and delicate throughout the 
terminal receptive portion, and fusion with the spermatium is thus accom- 
plished without difficulty (Figs. 4-1 1). 
Soon after this nucleus has entered the trichogyne it begins to break 
up into a variable number of nuclear fragments which retain their staining 
power for a considerable period (Figs. 8 and 9), and become gradually 
smaller and less markedly differentiated as the trichogyne approaches 
maturity (Fig. 10). At the period just preceding fertilization incon- 
spicuous aggregations of slightly staining material may often be distin- 
guished, which probably represent the last stages in this process of nuclear 
dissolution. These facts are of importance, since were such differentiated 
nuclear-like masses present, it would prove difficult or even impossible to 
distinguish them from the sperm-nuclei after the entrance of the latter. 
While this might be regarded as negative evidence, the writer feels reason- 
ably certain of the facts, as a very careful examination was made of a large 
number of well-stained trichogynes before reaching this conclusion. 
So far as the writer is aware, the earliest detailed account of a nucleated 
trichogyne is that of Davis (’ 96 ) in his paper on Batrachospermum. It is 
true, of course, that Schmitz (’ 83 ), together with some of the earlier 
observers, found certain differentiated granules present in the unfertilized 
trichogyne. Schmitz, however (p. 12, 1 . c.), dismisses them with the state- 
ment that they react towards stains like chromatin. Further, Schmitz 
noted the presence of chromatic bodies in the trichogyne after fertilization, 
