130 



produced by horizontal or oblique partitions. They contain very 

 deeply coloured content and a neucleus. 



The development of the plant from the monospore is quite same 

 as that observed by Mobius in C. chalybcus. Kuetz. The mono- 

 spores which have been set free probably just to germinate measure 

 0.015-0.02 /". in diameter. The young prothallium which I could 

 obtain on a leaf of I'alisncria spiralis consisted of 4 cells, of which 

 the larger central one has cut off a cell by a horizontal partition 

 (PI. CXXXIII, f. 10). After that there is formed a somewhat 

 radiately branched flat disc which adheres to the substratum. The 

 prothallium which is single- layered at the beginning now becomes 

 parenchymatic by repeated cell-divisions and a flattish low mound 

 like body is formed. When the prothallium attains the size of 

 some 130 it, some of cells of the upper layer form branches 

 directed upward. They consist at first of a single row of cells. 

 Larger prothallium, more numerous the number of vertical branches. 

 As they grow in length, the lower cells cut off a cell at the lower 

 corner which elongates into a root-fibre. Root fibres which are 

 articulated run in both intra- and extra-cortical ways and by coa- 

 lescing together form a somewhat conical holdfast. When the ver- 

 tical fronds are firmly established the prothallium goes down to 

 the ground. After that, originally single row of cells of a young 

 frond becomes two layered in the manner above stated. Colour 

 dark "reenis'n-blue violet. Substance fragile and somewhat harsh 



o o 



to touch ; when dried, the plant does not adhere to paper. 



There is no doubt that the present plant has a very close 

 affinity with C. cocnilcns (Balb.) Mont, as the size, thickness and 

 colour show its resemblances. Of the anatomical character of the 

 latter much is not known, as far as I am aware, except Kuetzing's 



