Fertilization of the F loridez. 21 
In detail this process shows many and various peculiar 
variations in the different forms of the Corallinez ; but in gene- 
ral its course is that the ooblastema-fibres of the fertilized ovi- 
cell conjugate successively with several approximated auxiliary 
cells, until, but only after the last conjugation, a sprouting forth 
of the conjugation-cell is set up, which develops a complex of 
spores (here usually a single chain of spores). The close 
union of the whole of the thallus-fibres, which bear auxiliary 
cells and carpogonial branches, has, however, as its conse- 
quence, that the whole of the spore-complexes which originate 
in consequence of the above repeated conjugations are placed 
very close together and form a connected group, which rises 
as a single whole upon the thallus, and therefore is to be 
regarded as an individual cystocarp. But according to its 
development this individual cystocarp is essentially different 
from the individual cystocarp of the Helminthocladies and 
Gelidiez, and rather approaches more nearly to the group of 
isolated cystocarps which, in the Cryptonemiexw and Squama- 
rie, proceed from the ooblastema-threads of a single fertilized 
carpogonium. 
5. Ceramiece, Rhodomelee, Spherococcee, Rhodymeniee, 
and Gigartinee. 
Among the Cryptonemiee already referred to, Gleosiphonia 
presents the peculiarity that a single, short branch-filament 
of the thallus-tissue develops its penultimate cell into an 
auxiliary cell, whilst the lowest cell of this branch develops 
laterally a short, three-celled carpogonial branch. ‘The carpo- 
gonium and auxiliary cell are thus in this case formed as a 
pair, and close together*, so that it is the simplest thing 
possible for the ooblastema-fibres of the fertilized carpogonium 
to meet with the auxiliary cell belonging to it, in order to 
unite with the latter. In fact, in Gleosiphonia the single 
sparingly branched ooblastema-thread usually grows directly 
to its auxiliary cell and conjugates with it, unless the ooblas- 
tema-thread of a neighbouring earlier fertilized carpogonium 
has already preoccupied it. 
Such a condition must, however, be greatly facilitated when 
the auxiliary cell is brought still nearer, or into the close 
vicinity of the carpogonium. The ooblastema-thread may 
then be reduced to a very small length or completely sup- 
pressed, as the fertilized ovicell can enter into direct union 
with the contiguous auxiliary cell. 
* Such groups of carpogonial branches and auxiliary cells, which arise 
as independent wholes me the thallus of the parent plant, are indicated 
in the sequel as fruit-rudiments or procarpia. 
