Chap, hi.] 



OF VEGETAL GENEEATION. 



917 



for man. So great is essentially the simplicity of biological 

 phenomena of the first order. 



When the oosphere has absorbed some antherozoaries, generally 

 of a volume much inferior to its own, it has become capable of 

 pursuing the course of its evolution : it is fecundated. We see 

 it then envelop itself with a solid membrane, fix itself, and 

 germinate. It has, in a word, become an oospore. 



Fig. 45. 



A, extremity of an anthcridion filament formed of cells juxtaposed and containing each 



an antherozoid. 

 B add 0, antherozoids in tbe state of liberty. 



D, antherozoid of an aqnatic fem. „ ' i_ -j. .iv 



E, fragment of an antherozoid of rancheria twisted spirally (a O. From the extremity of tins 

 antheridion come forth antherozoids having the form of short rods. By the side of the 

 antheridion is fonnd the oogonion («), or saolike cavity full of ovular corpuscles. At a 

 point of the oogonion situated in face of the extremity of the antheridion is formed an 

 orifice by which penetrate these antherozoids. Then these antherOzoids impregnate tne 

 ovula, which evolve or cover themselves with an enveloping envelope ; in short 

 become oospores. 



The modes of reproduction of mushrooms are very varied, as 

 regards the accessory apparatus : but essentially the processes of 

 generation are perfectly comparable with those of which we have 

 just spoken. Sometimes the reproductory bodies, or spores, are 

 foi-med without fecundation ; sometimes fecundation is necessary. 

 These spores are sometimes immobile, sometimes mobile, and 



