286 West and Lechmere.—On Chromatin Extrusion in 
incorporated with the surrounding cytoplasm/ For this process Gates has 
proposed the term ‘ cytomixis ’. 
Since a similar condition has never been recorded for Lilium , although 
this genus has been the subject of much cytological investigation, it seemed 
that the phenomena observed in our preparations were of sufficient interest 
to justify the present paper. 
Methods. 
The material used in this investigation was fixed in chromo-aceto- 
osmic acid (strong formula of Flemming), or in Hermann’s solution, or 
in acetic alcohol (i part glacial acetic : 3 parts absolute alcohol). A variety 
of cytological stains were employed, including Flemming’s triple ; Heiden- 
hain’s haematoxylin with a counter-stain of Bordeaux red or orange G ; 
gentian violet and orange G ; safranin ; and the methylene blue, safranin, 
orange tannin combination of Breinl. For determining the nature of the 
cell-walls methylene blue, ruthenium red, and Congo red were found useful. 
Description. 
During synapsis, when the ‘ chromatin * typically assumes the form of 
a dense more or less homogeneous mass, in which it is almost impossible to 
distinguish individual spireme threads, the nucleus almost invariably takes 
up an excentric position in the cell, frequently appearing as if pressed 
against the gelatinous membrane which separates the mother-cells at this 
stage, and in which distinct perforations have been demonstrated by 
Kornicke ( 14 ), Gates ( 9 ), and Digby ( 4 ). It is impossible to reconcile 
Schafifner’s ( 18 ) conclusion that the condition of synapsis is an artifact 
with the results of many experienced cytologists, who have repeatedly 
described and figured such a condition of the nucleus. Moreover, several 
observers have actually seen a typical synaptic phase in living material of 
both animals and plants. 
From the framework of the nucleus globules of a substance which 
readily takes up so-called ‘ chromatin ’ stains • are budded off. These 
globules (= ‘ chromatin bodies’ of Digby) vary considerably in size and 
number and, according to our observations, always penetrate the cell-wall 
(Figs. 1-5), probably in the neighbourhood of the cytoplasmic connexions. 
At this stage the cell-wall is very thin and stains deeply with ruthenium 
red, thereby indicating its pectose nature. Congo red and other ‘ cellulose ’ 
stains gave negative results. This extrusion usually takes place simul¬ 
taneously and in the same direction from all the mother-cells of a loculus, 
but a few loculi were noticed in which the mother-cells at either end were 
discharging towards the centre, whilst the cells occupying a position near 
the centre of the loculus retained the typical condition of complete 
synapsis. 
