4 THE SAPROLEGXIACEAE 



In Leptolegnia, Petersen (Ann. Myc. 8: 522. 1910) found that the 

 spores were linked together by their ciHa on passing through the sporangium. 

 Mr. Couch finds that the ciha are formed from the original protoplasmic 

 layers connecting the spore origins while they are against the cell wall, 

 that these threads unless jerked apart by a too vigorous rocking of the 

 spores persist and thus the spores as they emerge are connected with 

 four protoplasmic threads, two in front and two behind. After emerging 

 from the sporangium two of these four connections persist as cilia, but 

 which two has not yet been clearly demonstrated. 



In the case of Achlya, J\Ir. Couch finds a similar condition. A 

 sporangium of Achlya dtibia in the act of discharging its spores was 

 killed with 1% osmic acid, and the discharged spores instead of forming 

 a close mass at the tip of the sporangium separated a short distance 

 from each other but remained attached in a loose cluster to the tip of the 

 sporangium as if held together by a mucus or by delicate threads of 

 protoplasm. At this moment the sporangium was dragged gently by 

 the observer for a distance of several millimeters. At first the entire 

 mass moved, and then the spores began stringing out, the ones behind 

 being pulled apparently by those in front. A cover glass was then 

 applied and the spores stained with a 1% solution of Fuchsin and methyl 

 violet in 95% alcohol, to which Avas added three times its volume of 

 water. This stain brought out unmistakable connections of delicate 

 protoplasmic threads between the spores. Many spores had become 

 separated from the general mass and it was observed that these connect- 

 ing protoplasmic threads Avere on both ends of some spores, while on other 

 spores the threads were in the normal position for cilia. Furthermore, 

 spores on which these threads occupied all intermediate positions between 

 the above two were observed. Similar results were obtained with A. con- 

 spiciia, A. apiculata and its variety prolifica, A. Orion, and A. flagellata. 

 Mr. Couch's work on this problem is still in progress and will be published 

 with illustrations in a future numlxT of the Journal of the Elisha Mitchell 

 Scientific Society. 



In discussing the peculiar behavior of the spores in Achlya paradoxa 

 (now Protoachlya) I gave some years ago ('14, p. 294) a short review 

 of the variations from the supposed normal behaA'ior of the sporangia 

 and spores in the Sa prole gniaceae, as recorded in the literature. As 

 rather numerous records have appeared since 1914, I think it worth 

 while to reprint this review with such additions and changes as are 

 needed to bring it up to date. 



In the case of Achlya a departure from or modification of the usual 

 grouping of the spores at the sporangium tip has been recorded in a few 

 instances. In the first place it must be remembered that the spores in 



