1905] CARDIFF—SPORANGIUM IN BOTRYCHIUM 345 
bears an important relation to-the metabolic processes of the cell 
is too well recognized to need discussion, and. this enlargement of 
nuclei, or increase in nuclear surface, is undoubtedly in response to 
the increased demand for nourishment on the part of the sporogenous 
tissue at this stage. 
It has been noted frequently that the ovarian follicle cells of 
arthropods have many large nuclei which divide amitotically, and 
this has been explained by FLEmminc (4) and Cun (3) as being a 
means of securing more rapid metabolic processes between cytoplasm 
and nucleus through the use of a larger nuclear surface. Our reliable 
knowledge of the process of amitosis is so meager that one can at 
this time venture only a tentative explanation of the nuclear behavior 
in the Botrychium tapetum. Whether amitosis can take place more 
rapidly than mitosis is unknown, but from the mechanics of the two 
processes, it would seem that the former would be much the more 
rapid. WILsoN (9) considers that all nuclear division is the response 
to particular stimuli, and is probably incited by local chemical 
changes, an idea which is confirmed by Prerrer (8) and NATHAN- 
SOHN (7), who were able to produce mitosis or amitosis at will in 
Spirogyra orbicularis. May we not then look upon amitosis in the 
tapetum as simply an acquired character due to the unusual demand 
upon it by the fertile tissue for nourishment at a particular period 
in its development? Walls being unnecessary, the energy of the 
Organism would not be used in forming them. 
As the spores commence to separate in the tetrad, the tapetal 
cytoplasm has entirely filled the sporangium and many of the nuclei 
have begun to disorganize, though they seem unusually persistent 
and many are found after the tetrad is fully formed. Later, when 
the spores are entirely separated and mature, the tapetum disappears. 
Thus we have here worked out the problem of nourishment in 
a large sporangium by a method entirely different from the two 
formerly. mentioned, namely by the preservation of the individuality 
of sporogenous cells, thus enabling the mother-cell mass to separate 
easily into regular blocks, and leaving straight open passageways 
through which a non-sporogenous tapetum grows rapidly, furnishing 
the required nourishment for the developing spores. As a general 
tule there are more spores provided for in a sporangium than nutri- 
| 
| 
