174 



THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



blackish tint. Near the base of the enlargement the 



FIG. 6. 

 Formation of Spore in Vaucberia. (Hassall.) 



a, b, c, d. Successive changes in one of terminal filaments prior to the 



separation of the spore. 



e. Spore emerging from ruptured extremity of filament. 

 /. Spore immediately after separation. 

 g. Spore at later stage, larger and ciliated. 



b. Later still, showing changes which precede germination. 



i, k. Commencing growth of filaments from the stationary spore. 



chlorophyll granules are seen separated from one another, 

 leaving a clear and ultimately well-defined space, in 

 which transparent mucilage only is to be seen, separating 

 the matter of the future spore from that of the filament. 

 All this takes place most rapidly, so that in a few 

 minutes from its commencement the embryo spore 

 assumes an elongated oval form, and the whole of it, 

 with the exception of its proximal or inferior extremity, 



