102 MM. A. Famintzin and J. Boranetzky on 



of its true nature, tlie only approach to a transitional state 

 being suggested, ratlier than proved, by the occasional detec- 

 tion of a specimen in which the central mass with its investing 

 capsule appeared to have escaped through an irregular orifice 

 in the external gelatinous matrix. According to my notes 

 written at the time of observation, these empty matrices 

 showed the fibrillated structure, but no vacuoles or cyclosis of 

 granules. Hence, notwithstanding their occurrence amongst 

 the perfect forms, and their uniformity as to external ap- 

 pearance and dimensions, it is possible, although hardly probable, 

 that they may have formed part of other organisms. 



Lastly, as bearing on the identity in nature of T. nucleata 

 with Noctiluca'^ ^ I may mention that, according to my ex- 

 perience, there are no examples of phosphorescence amongst 

 living animals holding so Ioav a position in type of organization 

 as the Rhizopods. As a negative character this absence of 

 phosphorescence is of some value for the following reason. 

 Both amongst the minute luminous Crustaceans proper, En- 

 tomostraca, and Ascidians of the open sea, I have found it easy, 

 by means of a fine paint-brush, to detach a portion of a 

 phosphorescentj^««*c?fromthe living animal, and to communicate 

 a luminous streak to any object by passing the brush so charged 

 over it. It would seem, therefore, to be a true specialized 

 secretion, and would furnish an explanation why creatures 

 of such simj)le organization as the Khizopods do not exhibit 

 the phenomenon in question. 



XVI. — Notulce LicJienoIogicce. No. XXVI. 

 By the Rev. W. A. Leigiiton, B.A., F.L.S. 



On tlie Cliange of the Gonidia of Lichens into Zoospores. 

 By MM. A. Famintzin and J. Boranetzkyf. 



In a thin vertical section of a Lichen the gonidia occupy the 

 middle layer of the tliallus, and are partly attached to the 

 medullary filaments and partly free and scattered. When the 

 section is placed in water, the gonidia readily detach them- 

 selves in abundance, and present a perfect resemblance to a 

 unicellular Alga. 



M. Sperschneider, in 1853, placed thin slices of the tliallus 

 oi Physcia ciliaris^ DC, on pieces of decomposing Avood in a 

 confined liumid atmosphere. At the end of two months the 

 illameiit.-) of the tliallus became decomposed, but the gonidia 



* See paper on Thalassicolla, ut supva, pp. 441, 442. 



t Translated from ' Ann. Sc. Nat.' ser. 5. vol. viii. p. 137. 



