314 CHARACEsE. PAKT n. 



shows that c in every one of the cells there is formed 

 a spiral thread of two or three coils, which, at first 

 motionless, after a time begins to move and revolve 

 within the cell; at last the cell wall gives way, and 

 the spiral thread makes its way out, partially length- 

 ens itself, and moves actively through the water in a 

 tolerably determinate direction, by the lashing action 

 of two long and very delicate filaments with which it is 

 furnished 51 (fig. 42 H). 



The nucule is an ovoid sac with five long cells spirally 



Fig. 41. Antheridia of Chara fragilis: A, antheridium developed at base of nucule ; 

 B, do., the nucule enlarged, and the antheridium laid open by the separation of 

 its valves ; c, one of the valves, with its group of antheridial filaments. 



twisted round it, the sac being full of a viscous fluid con- 

 taining globules of starch and oil. This nucule falls 

 off when fertilized by the spirally- coiled ciliated bodies, 

 and then germinates. 



The Characese may also be artificially reproduced by 

 cuttings ; while under favourable circumstances they 

 are reproduced by nodular bodies rich in starch grains, 

 which arise from the creeping root, and also by clusters 

 of cells called bulbils filled with starch grains, which 

 arise from a modification of the nodes. 



The Charas, properly so called, are monoecious or dice- 



1 Dr, Carpenter's ' Microscope.' 



