CONFERVOID FILAMENTS OF MOSSES. 571 
By the continuation of this process, chiefly in the terminal cell, and by the growth of 
the already formed cells, and by the formation of branches from branches continuously, 
the length of the filaments, and the area they occupy, are extended indeiiniteh 
(PL LVII. figs. 3, 4, 5). The branches are often commenced at an early period of the 
existence of the cell from whence they arise (PI. LVII. fig. 2). 
The contents of the cells vary much in appearance, according to their age. At first, 
in the growing end and in the half-formed cell of the branches, there is a tendency to 
general homogeneousness, although scarcely ever complete. In either case, very shortly 
after the cell is formed, the contents consist of a transparent, colourless lay 
mordial utricle) lining the cell -wall, together with granules of uniform green colour 
(chlorophyll-granules), in greater or less quantity. In the actively growing cell, the 
centre contains a transparent fluid (sap-fluid) ; but in those which have solid, unyielding 
cell-walls, the endoplast fills up the interior, and the granules crowd each other. 
sometimes very closely. 
A nucleus can frequently be observed in the mature cell, though not always. In the 
contents of the bulging commencement of a branch, no nucleus is to be observed ; nor d<>0 
the nucleus of the old cell undergo any change in consequence. The nucleus of the new 
cell must therefore be formed subsequently to the cell, which is certainly not produced 
by it. This, with many other facts, and with some which will hereafter be given, seem 
to point out that the nucleus does not necessarily play so important a part in cell-forma- 
tion as some have supposed. I notice this only incidentally, as the discussion fully carried 
out would be foreign to the purpose of this communication. As I have remarked above, 
the length of each cell of the filament varies extremely, according to the external con- 
ditions. Under much moisture and heat, it is very much increased, so that it may be 
twenty or thirty times longer than wide ; and sometimes the more terminal cells are 
elongated into delicate hairs, bearing a striking resemblance to the so-called cilia of the 
Drapamaldia (PL LVII. fig. 6) (which in some other respects they much imitate), 
their green protoplasmic contents being drawn out somewhat in the manner ob- 
servable in that genus. 
The general tendency of the growth of these filaments is towards an arborescent 
form when growing free and not crowded; and for a certain time they continue un- 
altered from the simple plan just described : sometimes they are scarcely branched at all 
(PI. LVII. fig. 7); sometimes the secondary branches are arranged on the plan of a 
cyme (PL LVII. fig. 5). . 
In these forms the confervoid radicles continue to grow for an indefinite 
ternal circumstances remaining the same ; and in course of time very large surfaces can 
be covered by them, unless usurped by other plants. They are perfectly capable of 
independent existence, whether they have arisen from a spore, leaf, stem, or root, when 
separated from their source; and hence the erroneous impression of their Algal origin. 
This is the less to be wondered at, if we notice the growth of one when placed m water. 
Under these circumstances the activity of its development and linear growth is wonder- 
time 
cells by division of the whole contents, Nageli calls the formation of cells by division • parietal cell-fonna.ion ' 
—Braun's « Rejuvenescence in Nature,' Ray Soc. 1853, p. 234. 
M 
