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CLADOPHORA AND VAUCHERIA 185 
267. They are typically aquatic, green plants (holo- 
phytes), but many have become parasites or saprophytes, 
and suffered degradation into “fungi” (hysterophytes). 
‘The number of species now known is about 1260. The 
holophytes are readily separated into two classes, the 
Lower Tube Algae (VauCHERIOIDEAE) and the Higher 
Tube Algae (BryropsipoIpEAEk), and from the first have 
been derived a considerable number of hysterophytes 
which may be separated as a class of Tube Fungi, or 
Lower Fungi (PHycoMYCETEAE). 
268. Water Flannel (Cladophora) is one of the com- 
monest genera of the Lower Tube Algae, occurring in 
large tangled masses of stout branched fila- 
ments in fresh-water streams, or even in 
salt waters. Its coenocytes have thick 
walls, with two to many nuclei. In their 
propagation and generation they so closely 
resemble Ulothrix and Microspora that they 
° ° ° Fria. 75. 
were formerly included in the same family. — cjadophora. 
Zoospores with two or four cilia escape 
from the segments and after a free-swimming period 
come to rest and grow directly into new plants. Like- 
wise biciliated isogametes issue from similar segments, 
and fuse into zygotes. 
269. The Green Felts (Vaucheria) are good repre- 
sentatives of one of the families in which the plant body 
is a continuous coenocyte. They are 
coarse, green, tubular, branching and 
rooted plants which grow in abun- 
“<== dance on the moist earth in the vicinity 
Fic. 76—Vaucheria, ©! Springs, and in shallow running 
water, forming dense felted masses. 
270. They propagate by large compound motile zoo- 
spores, formed in the ends of the branches. Each zoo- 
