598 Brooks .— The Development of 
most of the other preparations have been obtained from material fixed 
directly upon arrival at Cambridge. There is no reason, however, for 
thinking that this preparation represents an abnormality. 
From an examination of these figures there would appear to be no 
reduction in number of chromosomes at this stage such as there is in the 
brachymeiotic phases described by Miss Fraser in Hnmaria rutilans and by 
Miss Fraser and Miss Welsford in Otidea aurantia , &c. 
The number of chromosomes appears to be usually four after the 
contraction of the first division. This number certainly seems to fit the 
phenomena observed better than any other number or numbers. On 
the other hand, there seems to be some evidence—not very definite as yet 
it is true, that the chromosome number in Gnornonia is not strictly constant. 
Still the preparations necessitate the consideration of this view. Further¬ 
more, the shape of the chromosomes would appear to be variable in this 
fungus. Without considering the chromosomes of the first division, one has 
seen that they are sometimes long and thread-like, and at other times short 
and thick. In addition the extraordinary power of increase in size possessed 
by the nuclei is worthy of mention. 
After the reconstruction of the eight nuclei each puts out a beak-like 
process similar to that described by Harper in Lachnea seutellata and other 
Ascomycetes. The astray rays become more conspicuous and bend down 
towards the other end of the nucleus. The exact mode of delimitation of 
the spores, however, could not be made out. A certain amount of epiplasm 
is left as in other Ascomycetes. After the spore membrane has been laid 
down, the nucleus undergoes a period of rest subsequent to which another 
nuclear division is effected. This division usually takes place towards the 
base of the spore. Fig. 45 shows this division. The number of chromo¬ 
somes would appear to be four at this stage also. One of the daughter 
nuclei thus formed passes to the extremity of the spore which is towards 
the base of the ascus, and a septum is laid down between the two nuclei 
cutting the spores into cells of unequal size (Fig. 46). The nucleus of this 
tail-cell gradually disorganizes. It is interesting to note in this connexion 
that in all experiments made upon the germination of the ascospores it was 
only the larger cells of the latter which put out germ-tubes. The larger cell 
of each ascospore contains two conspicuous oil drops at maturity. 
In considering the nuclear phenomena in the ascus as a whole, one 
is led to the conclusion that there is a single process of reduction which is 
effected during the first division. There is no evidence yet that a second 
reduction is effected at a later stage. Nor is there any obvious pairing of 
chromosomes which might obscure such a process. 
On the evidence yet available one cannot decide whether the first 
division is heterotypic or brachymeiotic in nature, though certain phenomena 
already mentioned would appear to favour the former interpretation. 
