28 MICROBES, FERMENTS, AND MOULDS. 
cells is larger than the other, and persists alone up to 
the moment when the oospore is mature. It must, 
therefore, be regarded. as the female cell; while the 
Fig. 15.—Reproductive organs of Mucor mucedo (much magnified). 
other, which is smaller and soon withers away, is the 
male cell. 
The mycelium of the oomycetes is developed in a 
more or less liquid medium, like all other decomposing 
and putrefying substances. The ordinary spores are 
