302 M, A. Braun on the Nucleus 0/ /Ae Characese. 



formation of spores by mere detachment of cells, or tying-off 

 [abschniirung) as it is termed. Therefore to avoid using any 

 name referring to too distant analogies, I shall apply to the 

 female organ of fructification with its accessory portions, as a 

 whole, for reasons to be explained hereafter, the name of spore- 

 bud {sporophysd), distinguishing the envelope surrounding the 

 spore as the spore-coat {spoi-ostegium) . 



Thus, through the spore-formation, through the want of the 

 alternation of generations proper to the higher Cryptogamia, as 

 also through the tru^e cellular structure, the Characese will adjoin 

 the lower Cryptogamia ; while on the other hand, the presence of 

 convoluted spermatozoids, as also the contrast of stem- and leaf- 

 formation, connect them with the higher Cryptogamia, so that 

 they occupy a strange intermediate position between the two. 

 That they possess a real (active) contrast of sexes is indicated, in 

 the first place, by the spermatozoids, the necessity of which for im- 

 pregnation has been demonstrated by numerous observations and 

 experiments in the higher Cryptogamia* ; so that, looking at the 

 great resemblance those of the Characese possess to those of the 

 higher Ciyptogamia, especially those of the Mosses and Liver- 

 worts, we can certainly apply the Aristotelian ovhev yap /xdTrjv 

 7] <pV(TL<; TTOtel. It is further testified by the distribution of the 

 sexes, analogous to that of the higher plants, sometimes both to 

 one plant (monoecious), sometimes in distinct plants (dioecious), 

 in which latter case ' stocks ' of both kinds are usually found 

 in company f. 



The order of development of the organs of fructification also 

 agrees, since in general the development of the autheridia pre- 

 cedes that of the spores, which is especially striking in those 

 species where life is of short duration, as, for instance, Nitella 

 syncarpa a,nd fasciculata. The frequent occurrence of a peculiar 

 mode of degeneration of the spore- coat, probably connected 

 with sterility of the spore, wherein the hard shell, which in the 

 normal condition protects the spore, is not formed, seems likewise 

 to indicate the necessity of impregnation, yet it is remarkable 

 that the spore itself, in such degenerated spore-coat, is as abun- 

 dantly filled with starch as the normal. 



* The recent experiments of Hofmeister with Selaginella (Vergleich. 

 Unters. p. 124) and Jsoe/es (Beitrage z. Kenntniss der Gefassm-]it. p. 128), 

 bring new confirmation of the older ones of Savi ou Salvinia and Fabre on 

 Marsilia. 



t Ch. stelligera, Bauer, forms an exception to this, only S))ecimens bear- 

 inw antheridia having been hitherto found in its known stations in tempe- 

 rate and northern Eurojie. The Italian Ch. ulcuides, described by Bertoloni, 

 a])pears to be the female plant of a more vigorous form of the same species. 

 Ck. stellUjera is a ]>laut which is abundantly and readily increased also in 

 the vegetative way by its stellate, sprouting tubercles. 



