890 REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF CHARACES. 
in a mucilage of extreme transparency. The spermatia are 
commonly regarded as the analogues of the spermatozoids pro- 
duced in the antheridia of the higher Cryptogams.’ When the 
spermogonium is mature, the spermatia (fig. 854, s), are dis- 
charged through the pore or ostiole, os, in vast numbers. 
Fie. 854, 
Fig. 854. Vertical section of a spermogo- 
nium of Cladonia rangiferina. sp. Sper- 
matophores. os. Ostiole or pore, from 
which the spermatia, s, are escaping. 
Fig. 855. Highly magnified frag- 
ment from the wall of a spermogoninum 
of Parmelia parietina. sp. Articulated 
sterigmata or spermatophores. s. Sper- 
matia. gon. Gonidia. After Henfrey. 
Lichens may also be reproduced in a vegetative manner by 
means of little detached portions of the thallus known as soredia. 
These are regarded by those who maintain the compound nature 
of Lichens as consisting of some of the Algze, through which the 
Lichen derives its nutrition, connected and intermingled witha 
weft of fine fungal hyphe. Such asoredium when placed under 
favourable conditions is capable of growing into a Lichen of the 
same nature as that from which it derived its origin. 
3. CHARACE® OR CHARAS.—By many botanists the Charas 
are classed among the Algze, but as they present in their structure 
and mode of reproduction many points of difference from the 
latter, we have placed them in a separate group immediately 
preceding them. They may be regarded as a link connecting 
the Algze with Cormophytes. 
The reproductive organs are of two kinds, both of which 
grow at the base of the branches, and either on the same or on 
different branches of the same plant, or on different plants. 
These organs are called respectively, globules and nucules. 
The globule (fig. 856, a), which is regarded as an antheridium, 
or male organ, is a globular body, usually placed immediately 
below the nucule, s, but occasionally by its side. Of a green 
