BOTRYDIUM GRANULATUM. J 05 



large and small, I conclude that the small granules arc generated 

 in distinct vesicles, whilst others contain only female grains, and 

 also that these free or moving zoospores hare access through the 

 tubes to the larger grains, as the tubes are all seen to be moiv or 

 less filled with granulose matter. These Largei -tains are the 

 means adopted by the plant fur perpetuating its species — it may 

 not be its true fruit. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley (" Introduction to 

 Oryptogamic Botany"), page 157, foot-note, says: — "The plant 

 figured by Cienkowski, in Bot. Zeit. 1855, tab. XI. as Protococcus 

 botnjoides, is probably a Botrydium, and if so, that genus pro- 

 duces large resting-sporcs and minute swarming-spores. It is 

 said to grow with Botrydium {Hydroga&trum granulaturri), and is 

 certainly no Protococcus." 



Now, what I have stated here in regard to the smaller cells being 

 filled with zoospores, and which appear to traverse the tubular 

 underground stems to the larger cells, seems to confirm, to a 

 great extent, the observations of Cienkowski. 



This plant has been generally regarded as of very rapid growth, 

 and of as quickly decaying, and so far as the vesicles above ground 

 are concerned this is true, but I believe that the underground 

 6tems and roots remain for a considerable time, and that at certain 

 seasons, when a favourable hygrometric condition favours the deve- 

 lojtment of the branches, it bursts up again with new vigour, so 

 that it may be termed perennial. I have frequently searched to 

 find, if possible, some of the full-grown vesicles in conjugation, 

 similar to those of the genus Vancheria, but have never been 

 successful. I therefore conclude that the only mode adopted to 

 perpetuate its species is the one I have indicated above ; at the 

 same time it would be well if observers would direct their attention 

 to this curious little plant, and endeavour, if possible, to clear up 

 this interesting portion of its history, for it is in these lowly forms 

 that we detect the key to some of the more intricate structures in 

 the larger and grander portions of the vegetable kingdom. 



NOTES OX THE ABOVE COMMUNICATION. 

 By William Archer. 



This is a plant 1 have had but seldom an opportunity to see my- 

 self. Any new information in reference to it would no doubt be 

 desirable. The paper you forwarded, however, I would venture to 

 think, while it serves to draw fresh attention to this organism, has 

 not an a priori probability in favour of the author's conclusions, 

 and yet there is no saying they may not be true, so unexpected 

 phenomena sometimes offer themselves. He is no doubt right 

 that the plantlets, if we may so say, have a mutual intercommuni- 

 on by their subterranean branching " rootlets." Of course, as 



