298 Transactions.— Botany. 
The usual modes of multiplication of the Diatomacee are stated to be 
either division or conjugation. Facke however suspected, though he did 
not actually observe, a formation of spores or gonidia such as are found in 
many of the filamentous Confervoids. This method of reproduction I 
believe I have seen in Synedra ulna. In the autumn of last year I found, 
amongst a growth of Spirogyre and Oscillatorig, a number of unusually 
large specimens of Synedra, some of such magnitude as to be visible to 
_ the naked eye. They were active, and evidently in a state of vigorous 
growth. 
In fig. 12 I have endeavoured to depict the various stages of sporidial 
growth: a shows a full-grown Synedra with the endochrome diffused through- 
out the frond; at 6 the endochrome is beginning to gather itself into a 
distinct mass; atc it has divided, and a portion is attached to each of the frus- 
tules, and a division into definite masses is commencing; at d this division 
is complete, the m forming lenticular bodies; at ¢ they have moved into 
pairs, so that their convex surfaces are in contact; in the next stage (/) each 
pair has united and formed an elliptical spore; at g the frustule has been 
ruptured, and the spores are escaping. The escaped spores were evidently 
held together by a hyaline substance, and exhibited the peculiar motion 
termed Swarming; h, i, j, show different stages of growth of the young 
nedr@, until, at k, a perfect siliceous deposit has been formed, and the 
young Diatom is ready to recommence the whole process so soon as its 
endochrome is sufficiently mature. 
VoLvocinEz. 
1. Protococcus viridis, M.Dic., 3. 
» murorum, H., Ixxxi. 
8. Volvox globator, M.Dic., 3. 
Hematococcus.—I have had a colony of this protophyte in my possession 
for two years. I first discovered it in a jar which happened to be standing 
in the rain and was half filled with water. ‘By keeping water continually 
in the jar the supply of Hematococeus has never failed. Mr. Hamilton, of 
Petane, also brought me @ sample in the wool of a sheep.* 
* See “ Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” vol. vii, art. lv. 
