FUNGI. 



61 



later, if carefully examined with a lens, little round, white 

 bodies may be seen scattered among the filaments. 



On carefully removing a bit of the younger growth and examining it 

 microscopically, it is found to consist of long filaments much like those of 

 Vaucheria, but entirely destitute of chlorophyll. In places these fila- 

 ments are filled with densely granular protoplasm, which when highly 



FIG. 36. A, an insect that has decayed in water, and become attacked by a 

 water mould (Saproleynia) , natural size. B, a ripe zoosporangium, x 100. 

 (7, the same discharging the spores. D, active. JE, germinating zoospores, 

 x 300. F, a second sporangium forming below the empty one. G i-iv, 

 development of the oogoniuin, x 100. H, ripe oogonium filled with resting 

 spores, x 100. 



magnified exhibits streaming movements. The protoplasm contains a large 

 amount of oil in the form of small, shining drops. 



In the early stages of its growth the plant multiplies by zoospores, pro- 

 duced in great numbers in sporangia at the ends of the branches. The 

 protoplasm collects here much as we saw in V. sessilis, the end of the fila- 

 ment becoming club-shaped and ending in a short protuberance (Fig. 36, 

 J5). This end becomes separated by a wall, and the contents divide into 

 numerous small cells that sometimes are naked, and sometimes have a 

 delicate membrane about them. The first sign of division is the appear- 



