70 ON PROTOPLASMIC CONTINUITY IN THE FLORIDEZX. 
material was old and not very demonstrative, but it afforded some 
indications of continuity, though in a form less definite and 
complete than that of the marine gener. 
GENERAL CoNncLUSIONS. 
From what has been advanced in the preceding hepe ayy it 
seems clear that if not universal, protoplasmic continuity is very 
widely rari in the Flori idee. That it shonld differ panic: 
in differ a and species is only what might een 
cy a aoe ee: the marvel is that the a euraaaons are not 
much renter than they are. 
As to the question of origin, it would seem that in all these 
plants ve protoplasmic threads originate, as a rule, in the manner 
described by Professor E. P. Wright for Polysiphonia urceolata.* 
fc rs 
proceed so far as to ocmplorely est erstbos the different portions of a 
ial, 
That these threads are not merely peace or accidental, but 
permanent and essential structures, is proved by the fact that they 
are normally present in all parts of the thallus, from the oldest to 
youngest, and are not restricted to special localities and special 
cells. 
t they are not dead, but possess the vitality and powers 
of re protoplasm, seems equally certain. the first 
instance they are extremely fine, and are oft n urenrgee ae 
wi 
protoplasmic structures become older , cbowaves, the 
increase in t s and Boesas granular, a e cases, 
though apparently not in all, ass e colour of the prnopia 
structures. It has been pointed out that in a great many cases a 
sort of ring or collar makes its appearance on each thread, at about 
its middle point. This, as previously stated, is a sort of lip-like ; 
thickening of the margin of the aperture through which the thread 
passes, due doubtless to the action of the thread itself. Again, in 
some species, a delicate diaphragm is developed within the collar. 
The nature and — ns of this it is somewhat difficult i 
** Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,’ 1879. ‘On the Formation ot 
the so-called “Siphons,” and on the Development of the Tetraspores in Poly- 
siphonia, 
5 a 
