In rather striking contrast to the work of Montgomery, in which an effort is made to formulate a typical process for the entire _Metazoa_ from the study of a single order, is that of Wilcox, wherein a general denial of any apparent system in the maturation divisions of animals is based practically upon the study of a single species. As was stated in my former paper, I regard Wilcox entirely in error upon the vital point of his theory of tetrad formation, not by “forced interpretation” of his own views, but by an actual examination of the object upon which he worked. There is no point upon which Orthopteran material affords more indisputable evidence than upon the occurrence of the longitudinal division of the chromatin thread in the early prophase. My statement regarding Wilcox’s position on this subject was in no sense “misdirected criticism,” but an actual statement of fact; it was not an attempt to explain away “abundant and evident cases which cannot be made to fit into the scheme,” but simply the presentation of proof that _one_ case was wrongly interpreted. Wilcox claims the distinction of being the first and only investigator to doubt the hypothesis that longitudinal and cross divisions of the chromatic thread produce chromosomes of a different character. It is perhaps well that this is so, in view of the reasoning by which such a distinction is secured. Upon his own unconfirmed and disputed statement that there is no longitudinal division of the spireme, Wilcox presumes to disparage the accepted view of practically all cytologists. The constructive thought of the last two decades is summarily disposed of by this author in the following language: “The whole question, therefore, whether a certain division is longitudinal or transverse loses its practical significance, since the theoretical interpretation which has long been placed upon these divisions is shown to be impossible and absurd!” The showing alluded to consists in the statement that the chromosomes consist of an indefinite number of granules, which cannot be expected to arrange themselves in any order, and which, therefore, may be divided in any way without affecting the results. Laying aside for a moment the question as to the occurrence of a longitudinal division, we may well inquire whether the belief that, “In view of this manner of the formation of the chromosomes (by the aggregation of the chromomeres), it seems absurd to assume that the separation of an individual chromosome by one plane could be quantitative while the separation by another plane was qualitative,” is well founded. At the basis of such an assumption lies the implication that any definite arrangement of chromomeres is impossible; for if any definite order were possible, then the supposed argument against the longitudinal disposition of the chromomeres would be invalid.