Crystal Cyst Formation in Parenchymatous Tissue. 163 
are formed with the component needles either parallel to the first or pointing 
in various directions (PL II, Figs. 8 and 11 ; Text-fig. 3 ). 
The position of the groups of crystals indicates clearly that masses of 
oxalate move in various directions within the cell. This fact shows that 
various abnormal processes occur. It could not be determined whether the 
number of raphid colonies correspond to the number of fused nuclei or not. 
The crystals do not lie within the vacuole, as is usually the case ( 20 , 42, 59), 
Text-fig. 4. Part of the tissue "of a perianth leaf of Anthurium Scherzerianum, third cell 
row from the epidermis. Fusion of a large cyst cell with a neighbouring cell. Fusion of the cyst 
nucleus with the nucleus of the latter. At the other end of the cyst another nucleus ready to unite 
with the large cyst nucleus. Nuclei of the neighbouring cells with a normal form showing a tendency 
of lying along the cell wall. Oil immersion, ocular 8. 
Text-fig. 5. Fusion of four cells to a large symplast in the parenchymatous tissue of the 
perianth deaf of Anthurium Scherzerianum. Union of the nuclei of the upper two cells. The 
nucleus of the third and a piece of that of the fourth cell can be seen at the other pole of the young 
cyst cell. Oil immersion, ocular 7. 
but rather in the protoplasm. Sometimes a single colony occupies the 
entire width of the cyst (PI. II, Figs. 6 and 7 ). 
During the development of a large cyst the nuclei of the neighbouring 
cells exhibit a curious phenomenon. They become distorted and homo¬ 
geneous in appearance and show a tendency to fuse. But even in those 
parts of the tissue where a fusion has not yet taken place, the nuclei of the 
cells apparently unaffected are homogeneous and are located near 01 
alongside the cell wall, which therefore indicates a tendency to fusion with 
neighbouring cells (Text-figs. 2 , 3 , and 4 ). 
During or even very shortly before the formation of crystals the 
