164 



MORPHOLOGY. 



form a dense coil in the centre of the cavity. In each separate 

 cell of the filament we at first see a grumous mass, which, how- 

 ever, subsequently disappears, giving place to a spiral fibre coiled 

 up in two or three turns, and which manifests a peculiar motion on 

 escaping from its cell. These mysterious organs have, as yet, 

 without any reason, been termed anthers. 



By way of illustration, I take the reproductive organs of Chara vulgaris 

 (fig. 128.). We are still, unfortunately, deficient in the perfect investiga- 

 tions necessary to elucidate the development of these spores ; consequently, 



explanations are out of the question in the present case. We possess, 

 however, the valuable results obtained by Fritsche* from his admirable 

 researches into the nature of the so-called anthers (antheridid) ; although 

 there remains much to be done here in tracing the mode in which the 

 cells originate. Thuret f has written a treatise upon the spontaneously 

 moving spiral fibres (which there is a disposition amongst botanists, 

 although without the slightest foundation, to call spermatozoa), he dis- 

 covered two delicate moveable cilia attached to these formations, which 

 have also been since observed by Amici.J 



SECTION II. 



THE GYMNOSPOR^E. 



93. The plants are developed from a cell generally invested 

 by a special membrane, except a few of the Liverworts, in such 



* Fritsche on the Pollen, St. Petersburgh, 1 837, p. 9. 



f Thuret, Ann. des Scienc. Nat., vol. xiv. August, 1840; Botanique, p. 65. 



j Amici, Flora, Aug. 14. 1844, No. 30. p. 516. 



18 A is a branch of Chara vulgaris, with sporocarps and anthers (antheridia) : two 

 of the small lateral branches have been cut off from the upper pair. , Early structure 

 of the sporocarp, composed of five parallel cells. C. Ripe sporocarp, cut longitudi- 

 nally ; the inner cell (spore) is filled with starch. D is a part of the contents of the 

 antheridia. E, Cellular filaments, with the moving spiral fibres. 



