Fritsch, Observations on the young plants of Stigeoclonium Kütz. 383 
doubt in the near future. At this spot I only wish to draw atten- 
tion to the very great similarity in the cell-stıueture, occasionally 
existing between this species of Endoderma and the basal ereeping 
portion of the young plants in Sig. nanum, which, as already men- 
tioned above, occurred in the same water side by side. Ifthe des- 
eription of the cell-contents of the Endoderma, given on p. 14 be 
compared with that, given of the cell-contents of the base of Stig. 
nanum On pP. 6, it will be seen how great the similarity is. Since 
I never found any direct connection between the two, however, this 
is only to be regarded as a suggestion of what may possibly be the 
case. Later observations must show whether there is any true 
foundation for this theory. 
There is one other point, which I can already put forward in 
support of the probability of such a connection. Side by side with 
the large-celled Endoderma there occurred another form, whose cells 
absolutely resembled those of the former in structure, but differed 
from them in their minute size; their diameter did not usually exceed 
4—7 u (cp. Tab. XI, figs. 37, 38). These cells were arranged, so 
as to form a compact, parenchymatous stratum, just as in the form, 
first described; their chloroplasts, which were a fresh green in the 
young stage, later on contract and take on a brownish colour (Fig. 37). 
Apparently this form was always epiphytic, although its small size 
made the endophytice character difficult of determination. It seems 
probable that this Alga is specifically distinct from the large-celled 
form, since no intermediate stages with regard to the size of the 
cells were observed. T'he important point about it is, that certain 
of these epiphytic cells, were observed to grow out directly into 
vertical filaments, in every way resembling those of a Stigeoclonum 
(Fig. 37); these filaments had often attained a considerable length 
and were branched in the manner, usually found in Stigeoclonium 
(Fig. 38). In fact there was nothing in the vertical portion to dis- 
tinguish it in any way from this genus; the species, which I was 
not able to determine, was apparently distinct from the 8%. nanum, 
occurring in the same water. 
Hansgirg (86, p. 66) has described a variety epiphyticum of 
St. tenue Kütz. as follows; „Hauptäste und Verzweigungen nieder- 
liegend, ihrem Substrate fest angedrückt, zu kleineren oder grösseren, 
. öfters weit ausgebreiteten scheibenförmigen, parenchymatischen Zell- 
flächen verwachsen, mit fadenförmig ausgezogenen Rändern.“ This 
form, which according to Hansgirg is frequently developed from 
the type in cultures kept indoors for several weeks, seems io show 
considerable resemblance to the epiphytic form just described; al- 
though in the absence of figures of Hansgirg’s variety it is impos- 
sible to state this with any certainty. 
The fact, that the small-celled form, (so much resembling the 
large-celled Endoderma except as regards the size of the cells), was 
found in connection with a Stigeoclonium, has been brought forward, 
as a slight confirmation of the possibility of the existence of a con- 
nection between this latter genus and the genus Erndoderma. I hope, 
that my further investigations on the subject will tend to cast more 
light on this interesting -case. 
