*pt. ifli!).l I'HE GERMINATION AND DEVELOPdlENT. 179 



In the fourth week, the cells of the protonema-like filament 

 divide farther but not adding- much in length to each. 

 The number of cells composing a filament varies from four to 

 sixteen, generally ten to twelve. The divided cells swell up 

 more or less in the middle with the septal parts unchanged, 

 and assume a barrel-shape of from one and a half to twice as 

 long as broad. Very frequently, one or more decussate 

 branches composed of a few cells are found in a filament. 



The cells of the filament now^ undergo a great change. One 

 of them, sometimes more, enormously increases its size, the 

 chromoplast gradually decomposes, and the cell-cavit}^ is filled 

 with a mucilaginous matter full of hyaline, minute granules. 

 In some others, their chroraoplasts get more intense colour. 

 Judging from the later stages of development, I can not but 

 take the former for an antheridium and the latter for 

 oogonia. (Fig. 8, 9). 



The contents of the antheridial cell gradualh^ contract 

 themselves into an elliptical or ovate mass within the cell and 

 are enveloi)cd within a new, thin membrane. At the same 



time, the contents are divided into numerous globules which 

 move actively within the membrane. The antheridium is 

 now fully mature. The globular bodies are spermatozoids 

 (Fig. 10, 12). 



Just when the antheridial coating begins to appear, and 

 detaches from the inner surface of the wall of the mother-cell, 

 some granules of brownish red colour are expelled from the 

 antheridium into the space between it and the wall of the 

 mother-cell. These granules are without doubt a waste 

 produced from the chromoplast. (Fig. 10, 12). 



The antheridium is generally elliptical or ovate in shape, 

 varying in its size from 14 /j. to 20 fJt in length and from 5 p. 

 to 14 n in breadth. It may be formed from any cell of the 

 filament ; from the initial cell, or from the terminal cell of the 

 axial filament as well as of a branch. It is in most cases single 

 in a filament, but two or more, simultaneously or successively, 

 can be formed. (Fig. 9, 12). 



When the spermatozoids are fully mature, the wall of the 



