CHARACE.T: 



577 



growth (fig. 434. B, e,f, </, h), which, as already shown, is nothing 

 but a modification of the usual process of cell -multiplication ; in 

 this manner the extension of the individual plant is effected with 

 considerable rapidity. When these plants are well supplied with 

 nutriment, and are actively vegetating under the influence of light, 

 warmth, A:c.. they not unfrequently develop ' bulbils,' which are 

 little clusters of cells, filled with starch, that sprout from the sides 

 of the central axis, and then, falling off, evolve the long tubiform 

 cells characteristic of the plan> from which they were produced. 

 There are also several other non-sexual ways in which these plants 



FIG. 434.Nitc1la flexilis : A, Stem and branches of the natural size : a, b, c, d, our 

 whorls of branches issuing from the stem ; e, /, subdivision of the branches. 

 B, Portion of the stem and branches enlarged : a, b, joints of stem; c, d, whorls ; 

 e, f, new cells, sprouting from the sides of the branches ; g, h, new cells sprouting 

 at the extremities of the branches. 



are reproduced, but they are peculiar among cryptogams in not 

 producing true spores, either stationary or motile. The Characece 

 may be multiplied by artificial subdivision, the separated parts 

 continuing to grow under favourable circumstances, and gradually 

 developing themselves into the typical form. 



The generative apparatus of Characew consists of two sets of 

 bodies, both of which grow at the bases of the branches (fig. 435, 

 A, B), either on the same or on different individuals ; one set, 

 formerly known as * globules,' are really anther ids ; whilst the 

 other, known as 'nucules,' contain the oospheres, and are true 

 oogones or archegones. The globules, which are nearly spherical, 



p P 



