Linncean Society. 261 



veloped by a well-defined covering of gelatinous matter, which be- 

 fore the maceration existed in a concrete state. Further macera- 

 tion does not appear to affect this gelatinous covering, as it remains 

 unchanged long after germination, and gives to the sporule the ap- 

 pearance of having a very delicate transparent border, whose breadth 

 is about the 4th part of the diameter of the sporule. 



The sporule consists of three coats, the outer of which is white, 

 opake, somewhat brittle, more or less incomplete at the conical ex- 

 tremity, but much thickened about the upper third of the sporule, 

 where it exhibits traces of cellularity. The middle coat is mem- 

 branous, elastic, of a light yellowish brown colour, and perforated at 

 the apex of the conical projection which is essentially formed by 

 this coat, the outer coat being gradually lost upon its surface, or in 

 some instances being scarcely continued on to it, in which case the 

 sporule appears truncated, the middle membrane not having sufficient 

 firmness of itself to support the conical form. This conical projec- 

 tion is more or less plicated, and in those instances in which the outer 

 coat is very deficient the middle membrane exhibits lines radiating 

 from the aperture. The third coat, or internal membrane, is similar 

 in colour to the middle, differing from it however in being inelastic, 

 and not being continued into the cone, but forming a short cavity, 

 by passing directly across the base of the cone, at which point it is 

 not in contact with either of the other membranes, and is marked 

 by three lines, which radiate from the centre of the unsupported 

 portion, and indicate a valvular structure to allow of the protrusion 

 of the growing matter in germination. The cavity of the sporule is 

 occupied by a quantity of grumous fluid and particles, which are of 

 various sizes, the larger ones being mostly of an ovoid shape, but 

 altering hj pressure. 



I found many of these sporules in a germinating state, the major- 

 ity having escaped from the involucrum, but in several instances I 

 found them considerably advanced in germination before the rupture 

 of the involucrum and whilst they were yet inclosed in their sacs. 

 The first external sign of germination is either the appearance of 

 four cells projecting through the apex of the conical projection 

 or a general swelling of that part. By dissection, however, we 

 can observe this process at an earlier period, and I find upon re- 

 moving the conical projection that the first evidence of germination 

 having commenced is an appearance of cellularity w T ithin the unsup- 

 ported or valved portion of the internal membrane, which is transpa- 

 rent ; and I now find for the first time a very delicate pellucid mem- 

 brane lining the whole cavity of the sporule, and having the cells 



