﻿BOTANICAL GAZETTE 



Murray (18) states that the development of both crypto- 

 stomata and conceptacles follow the method described by Bower. 

 He quotes Bower and then adds " These words appear to me to be 

 the true guide of those who investigate the development of such 

 bodies" (p. 60). In conclusion he states that comparison of the 

 conceptacle of the Fucaceae with cryptostomata either in the heart 

 of a sorus, as in Adenocystis and Hydroclathrus, or apart from the 

 sorus, as in Alaria and Sacchorhiza, and with the situation in 

 Asperococcus, in Cutleriaceae and in Dictyotaceae "points very sig- 

 nificantly to a possible origin of cryptostomata. I anticipate, from 

 further research into the development of these bodies, evidence 

 that may enable us to dispense with the ancestors of the Fucaceae, 

 of which, however, I would speak with respect" (p. 63). 



Barton in 1898, in a study of Soranthera (4), Colpomenia, and 

 Chnoospora (5), found an interesting development of reproductive 

 bodies in connection with cryptostomata, giving further evidence 

 along the line already noted by Murray in his study of Adeno- 

 cystis. In each case a saucer-like depression initiated the central 

 portion of a cryptostoma and later of a sorus with reproductive 

 sacs, whether these latter be plurilocular or unilocular. The 

 important fact is that both portions of the sorus always origi- 

 nate as modifications of the superficial layer of the vegetative 



Holtz in 1903, in his work with Pelvetia (11), describes a method 

 of development little different in essentials from Bower's. Several 

 epidermal ("initial"?) cells cut off a series of segments beneath 

 to form a sort of pad of meristematic cells; then the external por- 

 tions break down more or less, forming a cavity. The inner por- 

 tions line the base of the cavity and later give rise to paraphyses 

 and sex organs. Meanwhile unaffected epidermal cells continue 

 division and cut off basal segments which become part of the cortex. 

 "This new cortical growth stops abruptly at the conceptacle. In 

 this way the cavity is deepened and a neck is formed, this neck 

 being composed of epidermis-like cells. Original cortical rows are 

 slightly deflected around the forming cavity, but later become 

 deeply invaginated and thus aid in deepening the conceptacle" 

 (PP- 35-36)- 



