1839.] Linnean Society. 23 



of the growing matter in germination. The cavity of the sporule is 

 occupied by a quantity of grumous fluid and particles, which are of 

 various sizes, the larger ones being mostly of an ovcid shape, but 

 altering by pressure. 



I found many of these sporules in a genninating state, the major- 

 ity having escaped from the involucrum, but in several instances I 

 found them considerably advanced in germination before the rupture 

 of the involucrum and whilst they were yet inclosed in their sacs. 

 The first external sign of germination is either the appearance of 

 four cells projecting through the apex of the conical projection 

 or a general swelling of that j)art. By dissection, however, we 

 can observe this process at an earlier period, and I find upon re- 

 moving the conical projection that the first evidence of germination 

 having commenced is an appearance of cellularity within the unsup- 

 ported or valved portion of the internal membrane, which is transpa- 

 rent ; and I now find for the first time a very delicate pellucid mem- 

 brane lining the whole cavity of the sporule, and having the cells 

 which give the appearance just mentioned either lying on its exter- 

 nal surface or forming that jDortion of it which lies beneath the valves. 

 From the appearances and impossibility of separating the cells from 

 the membrane 1 am inclined to believe that the cavity formed by this 

 membrane is completed by the cells, or, in other words, that the 

 sac is partly membranous and partly cellular. It is possible that 

 this last described membrane may exist before germination begins, 

 not^withstanding the numerous unsuccessful dissections which I 

 have made to discover it, the failure being owing to its extreme de- 

 licacy ; but I am pretty well satisfied that it is a product of germi- 

 nation, because I have not the slightest difiiculty in demonstrating 

 it after that has commenced, nor is there the sUghtest trace of it in 

 any stage of the development of the sporule. However this may be, it 

 is quite certain that fresh cells are gradually formed on the external 

 surface of the cellular part of the sac, and that the valves of the 

 third membrane are very soon ruptured and gradually turned back 

 by the growth and protrusion of this button-like cellular germ. 

 The enlarging cellular mass then distends the conical projection, 

 unfolding the plicae of that body, and at length appears externally, 

 with four of its cells projecting beyond the general mass and com- 

 pressed into a quadrangular form, I fancy by the pressure of the apex 

 of the cone, the aperture in which is quadrangular. These projecting 

 cells soon harden and acquire a reddish brown hue, and iu the ad- 

 vanced stage of germination ajjpear like a brown quadrangular space, 

 which I should have little hesitation in referring to the above cause 



