THomMpsoN: THE MORPHOLOGY OF TAENIOMA 105 
taking place during the formation of the carpospores. In the 
second case, not pictured here, one of the lower lateral cells is 
producing a mass of branching filaments. In two other cystocarps, 
before crushing, a cluster of filaments was observed at the base of 
the true spore clusters. This cluster was formed of small elon- 
gated cells, densely branching, and apparently without carpospores. 
Although their connection with the main cells could not be dis- 
covered, the question suggested itself: might these not be the two 
branches of sterile cells found by Phillips (95, ’96) in all the 
Rhodomelaceae? From this necessarily incomplete account, 
which merely suggests the identity of the structures observed, it 
can be seen that much more investigation remains to be done on 
the cystocarp. 
According to the classification of Schmitz & Hauptfleisch (’97), 
Taenioma is placed in the family Delesseriaceae. This position is 
determined from the similarity of the thallus to those of some 
members of that family, such as the well-known Ca/oglossa, and 
also from the formation of the tetraspores in two rows along a 
midrib. This would seem logical when the tetrasporic reproduc- 
tion was the only method known. However, with the discovery 
of the cystocarps, and their strong resemblance to those of Dasya 
and Chondria, as described by Phillips (’96), it would seem as if 
Taenioma had been wrongly placed, and that it belongs in the 
family Rhodomelaceae. The structure of the thallus and the 
method of branching, resemble that of the simpler members of 
the Rhodomelaceae and the formation and position of the tetra- 
spores are not such as to exclude it from this latter family. 
Indeed, from Hauck’s (’85) description of the placentation of the 
cystocarp it must belong here. According to his descriptions 
the distinguishing mark of the Delesseriaceae is the broad basal 
placental cell of the cystocarp, from which the sporogenous fila- 
ments come in clusters. In distinction to this the placentation in 
the cystocarps of the Rhodomelaceae is an upright central cell 
bearing the branching sporogenous filaments at its apex. On 
comparison with Fic. 21, the latter method of placentation is 
clearly recognized to obtain in Zaenioma, which undoubtedly 
would cause this alga to be placed in the family Rhodo- 
melaceae, 
BARNARD COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. 
