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determined shape when the chromomere lines connecting the groups 
become drawn to one of the groups, we may say they become absor¬ 
bed by it, and thus the groups separate from one another (PL VI1L, 
Fig. 8). The formation of the chromosomes is completed when the 
chromomeres melt together into a homogeneous mass. 
The author is of the opinion that these facts cannot be brought 
into agreement with the hypothesis of the individuality. The dissolving 
of the erhomosomes into chromomeres can be observed quite distinctly, 
and thus it can be stated that the chromosomes undoubtedly lose then- 
individuality. Marcus (62) is of the opinion that the chromosomes retain 
their independence even in such cases, because it is not impossible that 
at the time of union of the chromomeres these part unite again which 
formed, before dissolving, the same chromosome. But this suggestion 
cannot be supported by facts. On the contrary, I hold it more probable 
that the chromosomes after dissolving become restored anew by the 
process of chromomeres of different chromosomes being united to form 
a new chromosome. This suggestion is based upon the physiological pro¬ 
cess in sense of which substances ooze from the cytoplasm to the 
nucleus, and from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. 
In the first part of the growth period the nucleus increases con¬ 
siderably. The substances requisite to the growth must past through 
the cytoplasm, or perhaps formed parts of it, i. e. diosmotic processes 
take place between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In the second part 
of the growth period, however, the amount of the cytoplasm increases, 
and synchronously the chromatin diminishes, which is shown by the 
fact that the nucleus is then less stainable (cf. PI. VIL, Fig. 14, PI. 
VIII., Figs. 3—4). I have already mentioned this fact. There interests 
us now only the fact that some substances of the nucleus get into the 
cytoplasm, the futher fate of which can also be determined. It is shown 
by this fact that in the second part of the growth period diosmotic 
processes also take place between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. 
The osmotic current holds the whole substance of the nucleus in con¬ 
stant motion, and it takes with itself the chromomeres as well, the 
adhesive matter of which has disappeared by the dissolving of the 
linin. As the last result the reciprocal position of the chromomeres 
changes, and it is quite impossible for the chromomeres of the 
former chromosomes to unite again, therefore after restoration of 
the chromosomes we have to do with «individuals» which are not 
identical with the former ones. Thus the author is of the opinion that 
the chromosomes cannot be regarded as individuals, but as «tactic 
groups» («taktische Verbindungen») which obtain their form in the 
