^«4 



CHARACE.Ji. 



correspond to those of Thallophytes, nor to those of Muscinese or Vascular 

 Cryptogams. To the male organs or Antheridia of Characeae the term Globules is 

 generally given ; while the female organs, which are neither oogonia nor trichogynes 

 nor archegonia, are usually called Nucules ^ Globules and nucules stand on each 

 side of the leaves ; the globules are always the metamorphosed terminal cell of a 

 leaf or lateral leaflet ; the nucules spring, in the monoecious species, close beside 

 them from the basal node of the same leaflet (Chara), or from the last node of a 

 primary leaf crowned by a terminal globule (Nitella). The nucule therefore stands, 

 in the monoecious Nitellae beneath, in the Charae above of beside the globule. In 

 the dioecious species, these relationships of position of course fail ; but the morpho- 

 logical significance and position remain unchanged. Both kinds of organs may 

 first be examined in the mature state. 



The Globules are globular bodies, ^ ^o i mm. in diameter, at first green, 

 then red. The wall consists of eight flat cells, four of which, situated around 



the distal pole of the ball, are 

 triangular, while the four situ- 

 ated around the base are quad- 

 rangular and become narrower 

 below ; each of these cells 

 forms a segment of the shell 

 of the ball, and they are hence 

 called Shields. When unripe 

 their inner face is covered with 

 green grains of chlorophyll, 

 which, in the ripe state, are of 

 a red colour. Since the outer 

 face is destitute of these 

 c:rains, the outside of the ball 

 appears clear and transparent 

 (Fig. 204, -c4). From the lateral 

 edges several folds of the cell- 

 wall penetrate towards the 

 middle of each shield, which 

 gives them the appearance of 

 being lobed in a radiate man- 

 ner. From the middle of the 

 inner face of each shield a 

 cylindrical cell projects in- 

 wards, nearly to the centre of 

 the hollow globule ; these cells 

 are called the Maniibria. The flask- shaped cell which supports the globule also 

 penetrates into the interior between the four lower shields ; at the central end of 

 each of the eight manubria is a roundish hyaline cell, the Head ; and these twenty- 



FlG. 204. — Chara /ragilis ; A middle part 01 a leaf* with a globule a and 

 a nucule S, c its crown ; j8 sterile lateral leaflet ; j3' large leaflets by the side 

 of the nucule ; /3" the bracteoles, springing from the basal node of the nucule 

 (X about 50). R a young globule a wth a still younger nucule SK; w the 

 nodal cell of the leaf, n the union-cell between it and the basal node of the 

 globule ; / cavity of the internode of the leaf; br cells of the leaf covered with 

 cortex (X350) (cf. Fig. 201). 



* [' Spore-biids ' of Sachs, 'ovum-buds' of De Kary.] 



