ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICKOSCOPY, ETC. 409 



The author regards the non-sexual spores, spermatia, and cysto- 

 spores of the Bangiacese as undoubtedly homologous, the procarp 

 corresponding to the mother-cells of the non-sexual spores and of the 

 spermatia. It follows that the procarp is homologous, not with the 

 oosphere of the Chlorosporese and Melanosporese, but with its mother- 

 cell. 



The germination of both kinds of spore has been well followed 

 out. 



The above details show that the Bangiacese constitute unquestion- 

 ably a lowly organized family of Floridese. The true jiosition of 

 Goniotrichium must at present remain doubtful ; the non-sexual spores 

 correspond closely to those of Bangiaceee ; but no mode of sexual 

 reproduction is known. 



Sphserozyga Jacob!.* — P. Eichter now identifies the rare nostoc- 

 like alga Sphcerozyga Jacohi Ag. with Cylindrospermum polyspermum 

 Ktz. ; and since VVittrock has shown good ground for regarding 

 Tricliormus Elfs., Dolichospermum Thw., Sphoerozyga Rlfs., and Cylin- 

 drospermum Rlfs., as subgenera of Anabcena, it must in future be 

 known as Anahcena (Sphcerozyga) Jacohi. 



Algoid Structures in the Coal of Central Russia, t — P- F. 

 Eeinsch states that the combustible substance of coal consists of 

 various bodies of constant microscopical composition. They exhibit 

 no crystalline character, but the arrangement of their particles is 

 nevertheless so uniform that it is difficult to assign to them any but 

 an organic origin. They are not completely decomposed and carbon- 

 ized, exhibit a certain elasticity, and with a very dilute solution of 

 caustic alkali they manifest a certain power of swelling, similar to 

 many cartilaginous algae belonging to the Melanospermese and 

 Phycochromacese, as Scytonema, Hormosiphon, and Hopalosiphon ; 

 with iodine they take a distinct yellowish brown colour. These 

 characteristics strongly indicate that they are remains of algas. 



Along with these bodies are found others, probably unicellular, 

 of triangular shape, and manifesting uniform trisection, the nature of 

 which is more obscure, but which are also probably of algoid origin. 

 They are quite distinct from the spores of vascular cryptogams, with 

 which they are often intermixed. 



Decomposition of Synedra radians by Caustic Potash. — C. J. 

 Miiller calls attention to the action of a solution of caustic potash 

 on the frustules of Synedra radians, fresh gathered, or, at least, in a 

 living state. The solution used is composed of 50 grains of caustic 

 potash dissolved in 1 ounce of distilled water. 



Having placed the diatoms (more or less intermixed with other 

 forms) in a moist state upon a glass slide, and allowed the mass to get 

 nearly dry, apply the solution of potash freely and cover with thin 

 glass. After the lapse of a few hours (more or less according to tem- 

 perature) it will be seen — in the case of a front view of a frustule — 



* Hedwigia, xxii. (1883) pp. 3-6. 



t Flora, Ixvi. (1883) pp. 11.3-20 (2 pis.). 



