308 Metamorphoses of Reproductive Bodies of A!lgce. 



more transparent, tumid, and with one or two appendages 

 diverging from, or at right angles with each other ; these were 

 evidently plants in a state of germination : other globules, again, 

 were oval, very dark at one extremity, and almost transparent 

 at the other ; these swam about freely. 



" Within the space of one hour, I succeeded in tracing not 

 only the diminution of vitality, and death of the Infusoria, but 

 also the subsequent developement of the dead animals into 

 germinating plants, in such a manner as to establish the truth 

 of the fact. But, on the 12th of March, 1 had the pleasure of 

 ascertaining distinctly the origin of these minute bodies. I 

 undertook to observe, without interruption, one of the tubercles 

 of fructification, which I have already mentioned as terminat- 

 ing the filaments, in order to discover what became of the 

 green matter enclosed within it. I had observed it for the 

 space of half an hour, when the following changes ( fig, 160. 

 abed) became perceptible : — 



*' The globule became gradually darker in its colour, and a 

 little transparent at its extremity ; in the middle it was evi- 

 dently somewhat contracted, and had some trace of sponta- 

 neous motion. I could scarcely believe my eyes, when I per- 

 ceived the contraction to become more decided, and a cavity 

 to be formed at the base. The contraction at length divided 

 the globule into two smaller globules, which moved sponta- 

 neously towards the summit. As the developements proceeded, 

 the cavity and the uppermost globule became enlarged, while 

 the inferior globule became diminished. The latter at length 

 disappeared, and the remaining large globule escaped by a 

 terminal orifice, ascending till it reached the surface of the 

 water. The whole of this process occupied about thirty se- 

 conds ; but, from subsequent observations, it may be stated 

 generally to take up one minute." 



REFERENCES. " 1| 



a, The summit of one of the * "" 



branches of Ectosp^rma clavata 

 in fructification. 



by A series of views of the 

 fructifying summit, showing the 

 gradual expulsion of the contain- 

 ed globule. 



c. The globules as they appear 

 during their animated state. 



dt The globules commencing 

 their vegetable state of exist- 

 ence. 



All the figures in the cut are 

 magnified. 



