XI.] STONEWORTS, AND PEPPERWORTS. 169 
The antheridium is smaller and more globular in 
form, and consists of a cell-wall 
made up of eight pieces. From 
the inner surface of each of these Ce) 
pieces a short process called manu- 
brium is developed (m, fig. 126), Fic. 124. 
which bears on its summit (capz- 
tulum) six smaller processes (secondary capitula). 
These in turn give off each four long slender fila- 
ments (f, fig. 126), which are divided 
off into small cells. These cells in 
a single filament will number from 
one hundred to two hundred; and 
as there are nearly two hundred of 
these filaments in a single antheri- 
dium, the number of these cells will ie! aae 
range from twenty to forty thousand 
in each antheridium. The protoplasm in the filament 
cells becomes ultimately developed into spirally-coiled 
tapering bodies, provided at the thin end 
with two delicate cilia. These are the 
antherozoids; and when the cells burst 
they are propelled along by the lashing 
of the cilia. The antherozoids enter the 
sporangium at its summit, and, it is believed, 
pierce the substance of the central cell, and 
fertilise it. The sporangium after a time 
drops off, falls into the mud, and germinates. 
A shoot is given off, which immediately 
divides, and sends a branch (its first root) 
down into the mud. The mainshoot grows ,. ar 
to a certain length, becomes divided into 
cells by transverse partitions, and ceases to grow. 
— 
Fi6. 125 
