165 



the final stage, results in an almost homogeneous, cleepl}^ 

 staining mass, composed apparently of the closely coalescent 

 chromosones. In successful preparations the nucleus stains at 

 this stage a clear carmine red, in strong contrast to the bright 

 violet of the blepharoplast. With the coalescence of the chromo- 

 somes the volume of the nucleus is noticeably decreased (Fig. 93). 

 The blepharoplast forms a spirally coiled narrow band from 

 which the cilia can be seen to grow, following its curve, but 

 the blepharoplast is not in close contrast with the nucleus and 

 in transverse sections is sometimes seen quite free from it 

 (Figs. 83, 92). The spermatocytes and the nuclei are rather 

 smaller in (K moluccanum than in O. penduhmi. In the older 

 stages of the spermatozoid, the nucleus in the former species 

 is decidedly more elongated and more sharply pointed at both 

 ends (Figs. 81, 82). In this respect it more nearly resembles 

 the spermatozoids of the true ferns, while in the larger, com- 

 paratively short nucleus, as well as in some other respects 

 the spermatozoid of O. pendulum is strikingly like that of 

 Equisetum. The number of cilia is large, but the exact number 

 could not be determined. 



Surrounding the spermatozoid and included in its coils is a 

 considerable amount of cytoplasm, which presumably forms the 

 central vesicle as well as the anterior coils of the free sper- 

 matozoid. It was not possible to obtain any living spermatozoids, 

 but in a number of sections of the opened antheridium some 

 were found in which the spermatozoids had been retained. 

 While these were usually more or less distorted, still some 

 were very well fixed and gave a fair idea of the structure of 

 the free spermatozoid (Figs. 95 — 96). The cilia were very im- 

 perfectly preserved, in most cases, but in some of these they 

 were plainly seen (Fig. 96). There is one very thick posterior 

 coil mainly composed of the very large nucleus, which is much 

 larger than that of the sperm cell shortly before it is discharged 

 from the antheridium. The nucleus has the form of a slightly 

 coiled thick band, tapering somewhat at both ends, but more 

 markedly so in front. Beyond this extends a second coil 



