[xy 168: +) 
V. On the Similarity between the Genus Drupal and the Confervoid Filaments of 
Mosses. By J. Braxton HicK$, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., fc. 
(Plate XXXV.) 
Read March 4th, 1869. 
IN the Transactions of this Society for 1862, I made some observations on the gonidia 
and confervoid filaments of the mosses. Amongst other matter, 1 alluded to the close 
resemblance there was between the branchings of some of these filaments, when grown 
in water, to some of the forms of the Draparnaldie, particularly instancing that known 
as D. tenuis. I there said, “The length of each cell of the filament varies extremely, 
according to external conditions. Under moisture and heat it is very much increased, 
so that it may be twenty or thirty times longer than wide; and sometimes the more ter- 
minal cells are elongated into delicate hairs, bearing a striking resemblance to the so-called 
cilia of the Draparnaldie.” Further on, “Some of the filaments, which I had grown in 
water, branched in a manner very similar to Draparnaldia tenuis (Stygeocloniwm tenue, 
Kützing); indeed, had it not been for its known origin, I should instantly have regarded 
it as such. . .. . it seems a point worthy of further research, whether or not that genus, or 
at any rate the above species, may not have its origin from moss in some one of its 
phases. Nor should this, in our present state of knowledge, be considered a wild specu- 
lation; for we know nothing of the agamic growth of Draparnaldia : we have nothing to 
militate against its being one mode of vegetative growth of a form altogether distinct ; 
and this is not more extravagant than the known fact that these confervoid filaments can 
produce and spring from Mosses. 1 again remark, we know so little of the whole 
possible life-history of these simpler plants, that our want of knowledge of a precedent 
cannot be quoted against it.” 
"These remarks were illustrated in the plates accompanying that paper (by Tab. 57. fig. 
1 6, fig. 4, fig. 9). 
Inow bring forward some more facts, which tend to strengthen the opinion I then 
expressed. Whilst I was watching the growth of the gonidia of some moss (probably 
Neckera), their tendency to linear growth was very evident; but instead of continuing 
to elongate in one line, they formed branches in the manner represented at Tab. XXXV. 
figs. 1& 2. Later on the branching became still more marked, and the component cells 
narrower and more attenuated (fig. 3), so as to bear a close resemblance to the less vigorous 
branches of Draparnaldia tenuis, tapering remarkably to the end, in the cells of which 
the chlorophyll became almost invisible. 
It is noteworthy that while some of the gonidia took on this form, some proceeded to 
divide by both “ parietal ” and “ free-cell ” formation (fig. 4). 
Besides this, I had evidence of the formation of zoospores from these “ free-cell ” 
