Induced Cell-reproduction in the Protozoa

Abstract

THE discovery of the fact that the products of cell death can cause cell-division in lymphocytes and other cells of the human body has given rise to a strong suspicion that these substances may be necessary for any form of cell-reproduction to occur. It has been already demonstrated by Fantham and Ross that Amoeba coli can be caused to divide through many generations by means of auxetics, and Drs. Ross and Cropper have shown that induced cell-reproduction will occur in the ova of Ascaris megalocephala if the eggs are mixed with a solution containing auxetics and incubated. It is important, therefore, for confirmation to come from other sources. Some time ago I was fortunate enough to discover a new variety of Polytoma, differing considerably from P. uvella in many respects, but chiefly in the fact that the new variety formed spores in the late autumn, which did not develop until the following spring. A full account of the new organism is in course of preparation for publication.