Crystal Cyst Formation in Parenchymatous Tissue. 165 
IV. Discussion. 
Having described the origin of such a cyst, it may be well to compare 
it with the process of development of an ordinary raphid-bearing cell, 
particularly in view of the fact that in both cases abnormal regulatory 
phenomena are principally dealt with. The two kinds of crystal cells differ 
principally from each other in that only in the former do cell and nuclear 
fusions take place. A comparison will at least yield further information as 
to the behaviour of the cell elements with reference to the crystal structure. 
In this comparison of the origin of a simple raphid cell and that of a cyst, 
three prominently important points are to be noted : 
1 . The behaviour of the nucleus. 
2 . The behaviour of the protoplasm. 
3 . The formation of the crystal colonies. 
1 . The Behaviour of the Nucleus. 
From the behaviour of the nuclei with respect to the protoplasm it 
will undoubtedly be possible to arrive at a conclusion as to whether the 
protoplasm suffers through the formation of crystals or not, or, in other 
words, whether or not normal physiological conditions or processes are 
interrupted. 
Rosanoff (42) and later De la Rue ( 10 ) in Hoy a carnosa were the first 
to observe crystal-bearing cells, and they noted the survival of the nucleus 
after crystal formation. De Bary (9) also mentioned briefly the survival of 
the nucleus of such cells which have not yet lost their vitality, i. e. whose 
cell contents are not yet filled with crystal substance. 
In the cell, during the formation of the crystal, there arise entirely 
different conditions, physico-chemically and physiologically, which certainly 
affect the form and the position of the nucleus. 
Kohl (20), who studied such raphid cells, especially in Hyacinthus 
orientalis , Vanilla planifolia , and Orchid bulbs, found that the nucleus, 
immediately after appearance of vacuoles, assumed a vertical position 
adjacent to the cell wall, where it remained during its cell existence (p. 274 ). 
According to Kohl the raphid bundle is always formed in the centre of the 
cell, and especially in the cells where a contraction of the protoplasmic wall 
covering has taken place. In these cases he points out that the nucleus is in 
direct connexion with the raphid bundle. Zacharias (65) and Johow (19) 
made the same observation in raphid-bearing tubes of Monocotyledons and 
Dicotyledons. 
It was possible to determine from my observations on Anthurium, that 
the position and form of the nucleus in the crystal cysts are influenced by 
abnormal physiological processes, i. e. by the growth of the calcium oxalate 
