90 THE BOTANICAL MAGAZINE. lvoi. xxxiii. No. m 



the same time number of the disscpments increasing. It crept 

 on the surface of the bottom of the beaker. (Plate 1, fig. 5). 



In tlie next stage of development, the multicellular tube or 

 better to call it filament, gave forth a few lateral branches 

 decussately and prostrately, generally from the middle point of 

 the cells. The whole body now assumed an aspect of a young 

 protonema of a moss, with the initial spore still remaining in 

 nearly its original shape and size. (Plate 1, fig. G-7). 



Berthold could observe in his culture of P. leucosticta up 

 to this stage of development and a little further in that of 

 P. laciniata. He believed the protonema-like bodies as abnor- 

 mal sporelings resulted from unnatural condition in the artificial 

 culture. In mN' culture, the sporelings continued to develop 

 still further. 



In the fifth week, May 5—11, the filaments much more 

 elongated by multiph'ing the cells and adding degree of com- 

 plication by further branches. The bottom of the jar is now^ 

 filled with creeping filaments of the complicated, protonema-like 

 bodies. Soon the chromoplast of the initial spore is discoloured 

 and its proper shape lost. The whole contents are divided 

 into numerous small bodies, which are highly refracting and 

 nearly colourless. A new membrane is formed within the 

 original wall. This is a sporangium and the small bodies are 

 gametes. (Plate 1, fig. 8). 



Frequently the sporangium may be formed in the terminal 

 cell of a branch or in an intermediate cell of the principal fila- 

 ment. In either case, the sporangium may be often elliptical in 

 shape. It was also observed that a new sporangium was 

 forme.'l in the next of an old sporangium which has already 

 emptied its content. 



Just before the gametes are to be discharged, there appear 

 a short process of 3-5/i. in length, 2-3 /i in breadth, on a side of 

 the gametangium. At the terminal point, an aperture is formed 

 through which the matured gametes escape. 



There are two forms of the gametes, one large, 3.0-3.5 ii, 

 in length and 1.5— 2.0 /^ in breadth, and the others small, 

 about 1.5 /i. in length and about 1.0 /i. in breadth. Both are 

 similar in shape. I could actualK' observe the escaping of the 



