Fertilization of the Floridex. ot 
cation of the Floridez furnish also some contributions to the 
classification of this section of the Alga. 
At present, as is well known, we have only the commence- 
ment of a natural system of the Floridee. Our present know- 
ledge of the group, which includes such an abundance of 
forms, is still too imperfect for it to be possible as yet to esta- 
blish a natural system of these Alga. For the present we 
must make artificial systems answer our purpose, and these 
are now founded entirely upon the structure of the mature 
cystocarp (J. Agardh), a preponderant consideration of the 
growth of the thallus (Nigeli) having proved to be unsuitable. 
A consistent carrying through of this principle of division, 
however, frequently tears the nearest allies wide apart (e. g. 
Delesseria and Hydrolapathum, Chylocladia and Lomentaria, 
Griffithsia and Bornetia, &c.). 
For the advancement of the natural system of the Floridee 
an exact investigation of the processes in the fructification of 
the different individual forms is, in my opinion, essentially 
necessary. It would, however, lead me too far to enumerate 
here in detail the results which I think I can deduce from my 
investigations towards the natural system of the Floridez. 
The more general results of this kind have already had ex- 
pression given to them in the above statement in the arrange- 
ment of the groups. A more thorough-going representation 
of them will only be indicated when we have been able to 
investigate exactly a far greater number of forms than at 
present with regard to their fructification. 
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
PEATE L 
Fig. 1. Batrachospermum moniliforme, Roth. 
(Picric-acid-Hematoxyline preparation.) 
Apex of the carpogonial branch with the carpogonium already fertilized ; 
trichogyne separated off from the ventral part of the carpogonium, 
and the latter sprouting forth laterally, The hypogynal cell 
develops beside the older ramified side-branch a new lateral 
sprout as the foundation of a new sterile enveloping branch. In 
the ovicell, the hypogynal cell, and the branch-cells of both sides 
the nucleoli of the cell-nuclei are intensely coloured; within 
the trichogyne the protoplasm encloses a number of intensely 
coloured granules (derivatives of the cell-nucleus of the female 
eell?). x 800 diam. 
Figs. 2-4. Chantransia corymbifera, Thur. 
(Spirit-material, relaxed in water and coloured with heemateine- 
ammonia. ) 
_ Fig. 2. In the fertilized carpogonium the trichogyne is separated off by 
5 means of the membranous stopper within the neck of the tri- 
7* 
