494 Mr. Valentine on the Structure and Developtnent 



Fig. 3. A fertile sporule, with its gelatinous covering : this and all the subse- 

 quent figures are highly magnified. 



Fig. 4. Upper portion of a sporule, in which the outer membrane is deficient 

 on the conical projection, in consequence of which the more delicate 

 middle membrane is collapsed, and gives a truncated appearance to 

 the sporule. 



Fig. 6. A perpendicular view of this truncated conical projection, a. The 

 short outer membrane, b. The middle membrane, with an aperture 

 and several lines on its surface. 



Fig. 6. A section of a sporule, showing an outer coat, which is much thick- 

 ened and of a cellular appearance, at the upper part of the sporule, 

 and may be traced on to the conical projection ; a middle membrane, 

 which may also be traced into the conical projection ; and the third 

 or internal coat, which does not assist in forming the conical pro- 

 jection, but, passing transversely across its base, forms a short cavity. 

 The granular contents are also shown in situ. 



Fig. 7- A few of the granular contents of various sizes ; they refract the trans- 

 mitted light to the centre. 



Fig. 8. A perpendicular view of a sporule, the conical projection being re- 

 moved to show the transverse portion of the internal coat. The 

 three radiating lines indicate a valvular structure. 



Fig. 9. A similar view of a germinating sporule. The germ has ruptured the 

 valves. 



Fig. 10. The germ separated, to show its attachment to a delicate membrane 

 which lines the whole cavity of the sporule. 



Fig. 1 1 . Section of the upper part of a germinating sporule, showing the germ 

 before the rupture of the valves. It will be no\V seen, that there is 

 an additional membrane to the sporule with which the germ is con- 

 tinuous. 



Fig. 12. View of the upper part of a germinating sporule, which is more ad- 

 vanced ; the conical projection is dilated by the pressure of the grow- 

 ing germ, four of the cells of which are visible externally. 



Fig. 13. View of a germinating sporule, not quite so far advanced as the 

 preceding. The conical projection has been removed to show 



