MONOBLEPHARIDALES 709 



lateral. In M. taylori both oogonium and antheridium develop in the 

 same manner as do those of Monoblepharis hypogyna, that is, the 

 rudiment of the terminal oogonium is formed first. After this is delim- 

 ited another, more proximal, segment is separated from the supporting 

 hypha by a cross wall. In most instances this basal segment has, before 

 its delimitation, formed beneath the oogonium a short branch, which 

 continues to increase in size as maturation proceeds. In Monoblepharella 

 elongata a similar sequence of development of the first-formed game- 

 tangia is found, whereas in M. mexicana and M. laruei the reverse is 

 typical (Springer, 1945b). Monoblepharella endogena is devoid of anther- 

 idia (Sparrow, 1953a); the oospores are evidently parthenogenetic and 

 they remain within the gametangium. 



In Monoblepharella taylori the mature oogonium is thin-walled and 

 apparently without a prominent receptive papilla, although further 

 observations are needed on this point. The contents of the large broadly 

 ellipsoidal egg are highly characteristic and conspicuous by reason of 

 the numerous prominent colorless refractive globules imbedded in the 

 clear cytoplasm (Fig. 51 A-B, p. 710). Although usually only a single 

 egg is formed in the oogonium, from two to six have occasionally been 

 found. The mature antheridium, which may be produced singly or in 

 basipetal series beneath the oogonium, consists of a cylindrical portion 

 and a large lateral beaklike outgrowth formed from the previously 

 mentioned branch. From two to five strongly amoeboid posteriorly 

 uniflagellated antherozoids are produced and escape through a pore at 

 the tip of the beak. These may creep about after discharge or, like the 

 zoospores, which they resemble in all but size, swim about in the medium. 

 The early stages in the process of fertilization are like those of Mono- 

 blepharis. The antherozoid after reaching the apex of the fully mature 

 oogonium becomes strongly amoeboid. Its contents assume a watery 

 consistency and spread over the oogonial apex (Fig. 51 C). Numerous 

 small vacuoles appear and disappear so rapidly as to give an appearance 

 of cytoplasmic "boiling." The flagellum waves feebly above the body 

 of the sperm and, as the cytoplasm of the male gamete gradually sinks 

 into the ooplasm (Fig. 51 D-E), becomes more hyaline in appearance. 

 During absorption of the male gamete the ooplasm expands and for a 

 short time fills the oogonium (Fig. 51 F). In none of the many instances 



