563 
TPS 
UTP 
1/7 
We 
distinct; at all events nothing has been found 
to support such an assumption, and it must be 
remembered that fusions occur between ordinary 
cortical cells too (comp. p. 558). 
The development of the primary nema- 
thecial filaments is to a great extent stopped by 
the formation of the flask-shaped cells and the 
generative cells; these filaments are replaced by 
new, secondary nemathecial filaments, and it Fig. 556. 
seems: probable that the development of the Alfa plicata. Vertical section of nemathe- 
cium, November. 160 : 1. 
other primary nemathecial filaments, which have 
not produced any of the aforementioned particular cells, is also arrested after the 
formation of the generative cells and their derivates, so that the upper layer of the nema- 
thecium is exclusively or for the most part built up of secondary nemathecial cell-rows. 
The marginal portion of the nemathecium is composed in the winter months 
of horizontal cell-rows which have probably taken their origin from generative 
cell-rows or their derivates like those shown in fig, 555 A, and must therefore be 
considered as secondary nemathecial filaments. The under side of the peripheral 
part of the nemathecium is appressed to the surface of the frond, but the under- 
most nemathecial cell-rows are not connected with the cells of the cortex (fig. 556). 
The narrow cells of the secondary nemathecial filaments contain a small 
nucleus and one or 
morechromatophores. 
The apical cell has 
more plasmatic con- 
tents and a larger 
nucleus. It is at first 
scarcely thicker than 
the other cells but, 
when the cell-divi- 
sions are finished, it 
takes an oblong or 
obovate shape and 
develops into a mono- 
sporangium. This or- 
gan contains 2 to 4 
TUE 
\ 
Fig. 557. or more very distinct 
Ahnfeltia plicata. Vertical section of lowermost part of nemathecium, November chromatophores, most 
The irregular cells rich in plasmatic contents are situated at the level of the sur- 2 
face of the frond*. 1080 : 1. frequently rod-shaped 
or ribbon-shaped, and 
it is remarkable that these bodies not seldom were found lying in pairs close together 
(figs. 560, 561). My assumption is that they were on the point of fusing together 
DE 
72 
