The action of isotonic solutions of single salts in causing artificial parthenogenesis was first described by R. S. Lillie (1910, 1911 a, 1911 b). He found that while the salts of sodium and potassium caused development, those of calcium and magnesium were ineffective. Addition of calcium or magnesium inhibited the action of sodium or potassium. In a later paper (1916) Lillie showed that activation of the egg, whether by fertilisation or by artificial methods, is accompanied by an increase in permeability of the surface membrane of the egg to water.

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