122 ALGALS. [BOOK i. 



29. Mycelia, are the rudiments of Fungi, or the matter from 



which Fungi are produced. 

 80. Cystidia, are the projecting cells, or supposed male organs, 



of Agarics, &c. 

 31. Sporophores or Basidia, are the cells on the apex of which 



the spores of such plants are formed. 



6. THE ALGAL ALLIANCE.* 

 (Confervas, Seaweeds, fyc.) 



These, with Fungi, constitute the lowest order of vege- 

 table development : they vary from mere microscopic ob- 

 jects to a large size, and are composed of cellular tissue in 

 various degrees of combination; some are even apparently 

 animated, and thus form a link between the two great king- 

 doms of organised matter. Their spores are either scattered 

 through the general mass of each plant, or collected in certain 

 places which are more swollen than the rest of the stem, and 

 sometimes resemble the pericarps of perfect plants. 



The mode of propagation in Algals is extremely variable, 

 but apparently always takes place by the formation of spores, 

 either within the ordinary cells of the plant, or within spo- 

 rangia of one kind or other. The Zygnemata have the curious 

 attribute of forming their spores by the copulation of two 

 contiguous branches. 



The terms used in speaking of the parts of these plants are 

 the following : 



1 . Gongylus ; a round hard body, which falls off from the 

 mother plant, and produces a new individual : this is 

 found in Fuci. W. 



2. Thallus ; the plant itself. 



3. Apothecia ; the cases in which the organs of reproduction 



are contained. 



4. Peridiolum, Fr.; the membrane by which the spores are 



immediately covered. 



5. Granula; large spores, contained in the centre of many 

 Algacese; as in Gloionema of Greville. Crypt. Fl. vi. 30. 



* See Vegetable Kingdom," p. 8. 



