380 



ORGANOGRAPHY. 



tains four, six, or eight spores or sporules (or, as they ha,ve been 



also termed, sporidia), placed one above the other {Jig. 829, sp). 



But very little is known of the spermatia of Pungi (fig. 830, s). 



Fig. 829. 



Fig. 830. 



Fig. 829. Vertiral section of the fructiflration of a Thecasporous Fangns 

 (Peziza). c. Cellular substance from whidi the thecw, t, arise, each of 

 wliich contains spores or sporidia, sp. p. Paiaphyses. Fifi. 830. Sec- 

 tion of a spermagonium of a Fungus. After Henfrey. s. Spermatia. 

 St. Sterigmata. 



They were discovered by Tulasne, and are supposed to be ana- 

 logous to the antherozoids or spormatozoids of the higher cryp- 

 togams. They are sometimes enclosed in sperraagonia (Jig. 830), 

 like those of Lichens (p. 376). The thread-like stalks upon which 

 the spermatia are placed have been termed sterigmaia {fig. 830, 

 st). Although they have been supposed to represent the male 

 organs, yet at present the sexual nature of the Fungi is not 

 clearly ascertained. At present but little is known of the con- 

 ceptaeles called pgcnidia, in which are enclosed the stylospores 

 (see p. 376). 



3. Ai-G^ OR Sea-weeds. — This order of plants, like the 

 Fungi, comprises a vast number of species, which vary exceed- 

 ingly in form, colour, size, and other peculiarities. They are all 

 either inhabitants of salt or freshwater, and may be microscopic 

 plants, or growths of enormous length. They are commonly 

 divided into three sub-orders, which are called respectively, 

 CMorospermem, Chlorosporcce, or CovfervoidecB ; Rhodospermea, 

 RhodosporecB, or Floridece ; and Melanosperme^, Melanosporea, or 

 FitcoidecB. The reproductive organs of each of these will be 

 very briefly described. 



1. Chlorosporea, Confer voidecB, or Green-coloured Alga. — The 



