Relation to the Nucleolus in Galtonia candicans , Decsne . 497 
Megaspore Mother-cell. 
No definite formation of c bodies’ has been seen in the synaptic stages 
of the megaspore mother-cell. The knot resembles that of the pollen 
mother-nuclei ; it is a dense mass thinning out towards the periphery where 
shreds of linin escape (PI. XXXIV, Figs. 12, 13). Fragments of linin may 
become detached ; these round themselves off and lie in the nuclear cavity 
(PI. XXXIV, Fig. 13). Occasionally similar bodies may be found in the 
adjacent cell (PI. XXXIV, Fig. 13), but no connexion with the parent- 
nucleus is retained. As a rule these portions remain colourless, but they 
may also become chromatic. They are not always present, and even when 
found they are indefinite and insignificant as compared with the ‘ chromatic 
bodies 5 of the pollen mother-cells. 
The nucleolus may be of the nature of a plasmosome (PI. XXXIV, 
Fig. 13), and take an acid stain, but more often it is densely chromatic in 
staining reaction (PI. XXXI V, Fig. 12). Wilson ( 20 ) states that * plasmo- 
somes sometimes seem to have no envelope, but in many cases (e. g. in 
leucocytes) are surrounded by a thin layer that stains like chromatin ’. This 
would explain the differently staining nucleoli found in the megaspore mother- 
cells; moreover, a pale nucleolus has been seen emerging from one that stains 
more deeply. Nevertheless, in most cases the chromatin in the ‘ chromatic 
nucleolus’ is more than a ‘thin layer ’, as in a section through such a nucleolus 
both portions stain with equal density. The deeply staining nucleolus is 
generally vacuolated (PL XXXIV, Fig. 12). It may be close to, and partly 
enveloped by, the synaptic knot, or it may lie apart. In the latter case it is 
united to the ‘chromatin’ mass by a narrow strip of linin (PI. XXXIV, 
Fig. 12), recalling the ‘chromatic body’ with its thread-like connexion. 
When the nucleolus is of a plasmosome nature, it may protrude from the 
synaptic mass as in the nuclei of the pollen mother-cells (PL XXXIV, Fig. 
13). It is vacuolated and often throws off tiny buds. These buds remain 
colourless, and are inconspicuous. Occasionally the plasmosome is hour- 
glass shaped, and becomes nipped into two at the constriction. This mode 
of duplication of the nucleolus is often seen in the early prophases of the 
somatic divisions of the root, only in these cases the nucleoli take a basic 
stain. Rosen ( 12 ) has figured these two lobed nucleoli in the root of 
Vicia Faba var. megalosperma , but he concludes that they are in the act 
of fusing, and not of separating. 
General Comparisons. 
There exists a considerable literature dealing with the elimination 
and casting out of substance from the nucleus. This elimination has 
been observed both in animals and in plants, and both in vegetative and 
reproductive cells. 
