Chondriosomes and the Primordia of Chloroplasts 
and Leucoplasts. 
EY 
DAVID M. MOTTIER, 
Professor of Botany in Indiana University. 
With Plate I. 
I N the cytoplasm of the cells of many plants, representing all the great 
groups of the Vegetable Kingdom, small rod-shaped or granular bodies 
have been described under the name chondriosomes. It has been claimed 
that these bodies are readily observed in living cells of certain plants, but, 
in general, they are to be definitely demonstrated only after the application 
of certain fixing fluids and stains. The fact that bodies designated by the 
term chondriosome are not visible after the application of some of the best 
and more commonly known cytological methods used in the study of 
nuclear phenomena accounts for their comparatively late discovery by 
botanists. However, the rather long list of papers that have appeared during 
the last decade is an indication of the lively interest taken in the study 
of these bodies, which are so numerous and conspicuous in certain parts 
of many plants. 
From a perusal of the literature, one is convinced that the several 
investigators have applied the term chondriosome to markedly different 
objects in the cell. This is definitely pointed out by Cavers ( 1914 ), who, 
in a careful review, has summarized the literature appearing prior to the 
year 1914. A discussion of the literature will, therefore, be unnecessary 
here, and the reader is referred to the above review by Cavers, where a com¬ 
plete bibliography of the literature then existing will be found. 
Methods. 
After some experience I have found it very desirable to make some 
modifications in the use of certain methods recommended by others for the 
study of the various bodies described under the general term chondriosome, 
[Annals of Botany, Vol. XXXII. No. CXXV. January, 1918.] 
