March 1, 1867.] 



IIARDWICKE'S SCIENCE. GOSSIP. 



GL 



Fig 51. Spirogyea. 



All the species of Spirogyra exhibit the process of 

 conjugation. Two neighbouring plants throw out 

 from the sides of their cells little processes (figs. 7, 

 8) ; when these meet together a union is effected, 

 the intervening cell-walls are absorbed, or ruptured, 



and the contents of one cell pass into the other. 

 Before, however, this takes place, the spiral coils 

 are relaxed, and their curves turned towards the 

 process ; then the contents lose their symmetrical 

 form, and become altogether shapeless (figs. 7, 9). 



