8 Prof. F. Schmitz on the 
are collected into groups covering larger or smaller portions of 
the surface of the thallus (Nitophyllum, Peyssonelia, Polyides, 
Ceramium, &c.). Sometimes these groups are immersed and 
line depressions of the surface of the thallus, or these depres- 
sions may even be converted into pitcher-like receptacles, 
which, in their development, present the greatest resemblance 
to the spermogonia of the Lichens and Ascidiomycetes (Grace- 
laria, Gialaxaura, and many Corallinee). In all cases, how- 
ever, the male cells originate exclusively (I have never ob- 
served an exception) from the terminal cells of longer or 
shorter branches of the thallus-filaments, never from their 
joint-cells*. ‘ae 
In all exactly investigated cases the individual male cell 
appeared colourless from its first origin onwards; formed 
chromatophores were never to be recognized in it. On the 
other hand, a pretty large nucleus was everywhere to be de- 
tected in the protoplasm, which usually contained some small 
shining granules. At the complete maturity of the male cell 
its membrane ruptures at the apex and the plasma-body issues 
forth as a solid spherical or elongated body, which is some- 
times drawn out into a tail-like point at the inferior extremity 
(Cruoria purpurea, Corallina, Amphiroa). In the interior of 
this escaped spermatium, however, a tolerably dense proto- 
plasm with some small shining granules always encloses a 
pretty large cell-nucleus, which is sometimes central, some- 
times rather excentrically placed. 
The development and emission of the individual spermatia 
of an antheridium takes place gradually. Very frequently, 
however, after the evacuation of a spermatium-mother-cell, its 
supporting cell grows through it and develops, within the 
empty envelope of the spermatium-mother-cell, a new male 
cell (Batrachospermum, Chantransia), until the contained 
masses of the supporting cell are used up. 
The individual escaped spermatia represent small mem- 
braneless cells, which, according to the prevailing opinion, 
are destitute of any spontaneous mobility. My own observa- 
* Some few contradictory statements in literature (on the formation of 
the spermatia of Melobesia deformans, in Solm’s ‘Corallinenalgen des 
Golfes von Neapel,’ p. 53, and of Hildenbrandtia rivularis, in Borzi 
‘Rivista Scientifica, i. no. 1, Messina, 15 May, 1880) I must leave out 
of consideration for the present, as I have not myself been able to inves- 
tigate the cases referred to. But as I have found the above-given rule 
confirmed in all carefully investigated Florideee, even when the first 
glance at the antheridia gave one the impression of a quite different mode 
of development, I must regard it as not improbable that on more exact 
investigation the above-mentioned exceptional cases may also be referred 
to the same rule. 
