246 
The conceptacles are scattered, usually not contiguous. 
The sporangial conceptacles are conical or subhemispherical-conical, (170—)230 
—325 y in diameter. The outer wall (the roof) is thicker than in M. Lejolisti, it is 
3—5 cells thick 
and has its grea- 
test thickness 
near the ostiole. 
It consists here of 
very distinct cell- 
filaments radia- 
ting inwards and 
upwards. The 
longest ofthese fil- 
aments are those 
AN 5 
LN or) cu) directed towards 
à een the upper border 
Fig. 164. ofthe ostiole, and 
Melobesia limitata from MH. A, vertical section of nearly emptied sporangial conceptacle. which sometimes 
B, sporangium divided into more than four cells. 350 :1. 
projectasacrown 
beyond the border of the ostiole. The filaments forming the crown are given off 
not only from the inner face of the canal, as in M. Lejolisii, but also from the outer 
surface (fig. 165). In other cases, however, the filaments do not extent beyond the 
border of the ostiole and a crown is thus not developed. The ostiole has usually 
a constriction almost in or under the middle, and over this the ostiole is funnel- 
shaped or barrel-shaped, according to the development of the upper peristomial 
filaments (figs. 164, 165). | 
This space is filled with 
a hyaline jelly. The con- 
verging filaments are 
easily observed when 
viewing the conceptacle 
from above. The bottom 
under the conceptacle 
consists of one or two 
layers of cells. The spor- 
angia seem to be produ- 
ced only in the peripheral 
part of the conceptacle, 
but there is no columella. 
The sporangia are four- 
Fig. 165. 
— o 
parted, 46—77 iP long, Melobesia limitata A, vertical section of sporangial conceptacle with well devel- 
21—46(—61) 4 broad. Un- oped crown. 350:1. B, sporangium. 200: 1. 
i ae 
