M. Muller on the Germination of Isoetes lacustris. 89 



starch is always a denser membrane which may inclose the con- 

 tents for a long time, and that therefore the process of solution 

 proceeds from within outward. Exceedingly delicate granules 

 are always found here, also, intermingled with the oil-like fluid 

 (fig. 6). It is in like manner coloured brown by iodine. 



In proportion as it was easy to observe this transformation of 

 the starch- cells in the Char a, since in them the whole contents 

 of the nucleus consisted of starch, it was difficult to see the con- 

 nexion between it and the primary granular mass of the ovule 

 of the Selaginellce. Therefore in the facts which I have published 

 in my ' History of the Development of the Lycopodiacese * it must 

 be equally understood, that the protoplasm is a product of the 

 amylum-cells, and these latter of the granular mass. 



By the time a considerable portion of the granular mass has 

 become converted into protoplasm, the mass itself has so accu- 

 mulated in the ovule that the latter is very much distended by 

 it, and the mass has become so finely aggregated, that when iso- 

 lated out of the ovule by careful preparation, it retains the shape 

 of the ovule for some time as it lies in water beneath the micro- 

 scope (fig. 4) ; and then the first cell is formed, in the interior of 

 the mass, not very far from the apex of the ovule where it subse- 

 quently bursts, hanging immoveable but quite isolated in the 

 mass. In order that it may constantly retain this position, it is 

 extremely viscid and tenacious, so that it is usually uncommonly 

 difficult to extract it in a perfect condition. It always presents 

 an appearance as if it were fastened to the mass surrounding it 

 by filaments. 



It would be altogether useless to express any opinion as to the 

 origin of this first cell. Erom my numerous investigations I do 

 not believe in the possibility of discovering it in the first stage, 

 simply for this reason : if it were before our eyes it could not be 

 distinguished from the mucilaginous investing mass, since it must 

 have the most deceptive resemblance to it. This reason there- 

 fore leads me to consider the discovery of the first perfect cell as 

 a piece of good fortune, and this has only happened to me twice. 

 Nevertheless this much is certain ; the first cell is formed imme- 

 diately out of the protoplasm. I beg my indulgent reader to 

 form his own opinion as to the mode of origin of the cell as he 

 may best conceive it. 



4. Formation of the Germ-plant up to the first rupture of the 



Ovule. 



When we have accomplished the always difficult operation of 

 preparing the germ-cell free from its investing coats, we find it 

 in the first instance perfectly round (fig. 7). I have neglected 

 to measure it ; but the relative size may readily be perceived from 



