T. H. BUFFHAM ON ANTHEJIIDIA. 295 



of which I received from Mr. Neeve (Deal, Aug. 1892). In 

 the latter plant the antheridial layer nearly covers a small por- 

 tion of the apices of the thallns (Fig. 15), but viewed from 

 above the layer appears as small dots set, with spaces between, 

 in a hyaline ground (Fig. 16) ; whereas in Bh. palmata the ap- 

 pearance is a dingy greenish patch in which there are no clear 

 spaces, but the cells are as closely crowded as possible (Fig. 13). 

 Sections show even a greater difference. In Bh. Palmeita we 

 have the elongated cells which produce the pollinoids set in a 

 considerable gelatinous investment through which the pollinoids 

 themselves (2-2*5 fx in diam.) can be seen to make their exit 

 (Fig. 17); whilst in Bh. palmata we find the elongated cell 

 surmounted by a larger ellipsoidal body of very delicate ap- 

 pearance (4*5 fi in diam.) which appears to be a cell with a very 

 thin wall, but I have not been able to satisfy myself that its 

 contents issue in the form and substance of a pollinoid. It will 

 be noted (Fig. 14) that there is no trace of the gelatinous 

 covering so conspicuous in Bh. Palvietta, and in all similar 

 antheridial layers known to me. Now it is remarkable that no 

 cystocarps have ever been seen on Bh. palmata. I cannot but 

 think it probable that these curious patches of so-called anthe- 

 ridia have no fecundating corpuscles, and they may, indeed, be 

 a case of degradation from progenitors possessing the necessary 

 capacities. 



In a former paper {Journal, vol. iii, ser. ii, p. 261) I briefly 

 described the antheridia of Glcylocladia articulata Grev., now 

 more correctly named Lom^entaria articulata Lyngb. Having 

 since then (Sidmouth, Aug., 1891) found a larger specimen I 

 have obtained transverse sections of the filament through the 

 antheridial layer. These show the considerable amount of the 

 gelatinous investment of every part of the altered cortical cells 

 concerned in the production of the pollinoids (Fig. 18). 



The antheridia of Nitophyllum Gmelini Grev. I ha,ve found 

 not only in elongated patches near the margin of the plant but 

 also in minute narrow processes springing from the margin. 

 These are generally in pairs (Fig. 19), and frequently are bifid, 

 the antheridial spots being arranged bilaterally with a clear 

 line of unchanged cells separating them. The last feature is 

 readily seen in the transverse section, where also it can be noted 

 that both faces of the thallus are similar (Fig. 20). The 



