204 



THE BEGINNINGS OF IIFE. 



colour, and composed of from eight to twelve or more 

 ovoid subdivisions. In the later stages of the process of 

 multiplication, the individual segments lost all trace 

 of their original granular condition. They became 

 quite homogeneous and highly refractive masses of a 



Fig. 55. 



Mode of Origin of Germs of Fungi from differentiating portions 

 a Pellicle formed on an Infusion of Hay. ( X 800.) 



a. First Stage. 



h. Second Stage — more refractive, brownish matter undergoing 



segmentation, 

 f^t d, e,f. Further Stages of segmentation. 



g. Ultimate Products of segmentation, which gradually develop 



into perfect germs {h). 



brown colour, and looked almost like large brown fat 

 globules. At last, multiplication still proceeding, the 

 mass gradually became resolved, leaving only an ir- 

 regular heap of spherical or ovoidal bodies of various 

 sizes. The individual segments then increased in size, 

 and gradually became less refractive and lighter in 

 colour. A slight internal mamellonated aspect also 

 made its appearance, as they assumed the form of ovoid 



