232 The Botanical Gazette. [April, 
other species, B. coerulescens and B. Boryanum. The results 
have to do not merely with the genus studied but with the 
whole subject of fertilization. The trichogyne of Batracho- 
spermum is found to be a cell entirely distinct from the so- 
called carpogonium, as witnessed by its well-organized nucleus 
and its chromatophore. The antherozoids also contain a 
chromatophore derived from the vegetative cells, and a dis- 
tinct nucleus. In the act of fertilization the antherozoid and 
trichogyne walls fuse, a larger or smaller opening is devel- 
oped, and cytoplasmic fusion occurs, but the antherozoid 
and trichogyne nuclei remain distinct, apparently indifferent 
to the process, the antherozoid nucleus for the most part not 
even entering the trichogyne. As soon as cytoplasmic fusion 
occurs the trichogyne becomes separated from the carpogo- 
nium by the gradual drawing apart of the cell-contents until 
the connecting strand becomes so thin that it breaks, and by 
a deposit of substance similar to cell-wall material. The cat- 
pogonium subsequently gives rise to the spore-producing fila- 
ments. The nuclei of the antherozoid and of the trichogyne 
necessary to conclude that nuclear fusion may not be ™ 
ments, without the antherozoid contact. It is evident, 
fore, that the fusion, even if the nuclei are not concer 
shows its sexual character in its effect. The author also su 
gests the hypothesis that sexual reproduction in these pi 
forms may not of necessity involve nuclear fusion. We re 
tainly know too little concerning the behavior of the at 
in the Sexual processes of the thallophytes in general, 0" 
concerning the whole trichogyne subject in particular, Se ye 
ure upon much generalization concerning these very ie 
esting and important observations upon Batrachosperm" 
