71 



si-orangium re::ic,ins for a lone time, increasing in cir.e and 

 in vacuolization of the cytoplasm. The significance of 

 this incomplete separation of the spores probably lies in 

 the fact that food material seems to pe.ss v.t tlirough the 

 "basal cell. If the spore v/ere completely separated before 

 ma.tiu'ity, only one of the fovr v/ould be in communication 

 • ith the stalk cell, the source of supplies. Kov;ever, in- 

 asmuch as the cliroma,tophores at this stage are v/ell devel- 

 oped, it seems probable tlmt the tetrasporangium is capp.ble 

 of ela.borating at least part of its food material for it- 

 self. 



BERTHOLD (*86) seems to have been the first to point 

 out this incomplete separation of the tetraspores of red 

 algae after tiie division of the nucleus of the mother cell, 

 though SCffi.'iITZ ('79a) ha,d given an account of tv/o succes- 

 sive nucleajT' divisions in the tetraspore mother cell. 



The tetra-sporic branches are from their inception sur- 

 rounded by the swollen v/all of the vegetative cell on ■, hich 

 they are borne. A portion of tliis \7all is carried out by 

 the developing tetrasporic cells. As the cells develop, 

 the portion of the .all surrounding them swells greatly and 

 appecirs to become gelatinized, ceasing to respond to tlae 

 tests for cellulose. 



