THE FUNGI 83 
numerous nuclei. In the common water-moulds the 
reproductive cells are also similar to those of the Si- 
phonee. There are sporangia (Fig. 21, B) formed by 
the cutting off of the end of a filament, and the proto- 
plasm of this sporangium then divides into a large 
number of biciliate zodspores (C), which, on escaping, 
germinate promptly and form new plants. 
The sexual organs of the water-moulds also recall 
those of Vaucheria, but the odgonium usually contains 
more than a single egg-cell, and fertilization is not 
effected by motile spermatozoids, but directly by a tube 
which is sent out from the antheridium and penetrates 
the wall of the odgonium. Through this tube the con- 
tents of the antheridium is transferred to the egg-cell, 
where by a fusion of the nuclei of the two cells, fertili- 
zation is effected. The fertilized egg thereupon secretes 
a thick wall and becomes transformed into a spore, as 
in the green alge. 
. In some species of Saprolegnia the spores develop 
without fecundation, antheridia being entirely absent. 
There are some interesting intermediate conditions 
where the antheridium is present, but is entirely func- 
tionless. This degeneration of the reproductive organs 
is probably correlated with the parasitic or saprophytic 
habits of the plants, and is a phenomenon of frequent 
occurrence among the higher fungi, as we shall see, 
where the great majority show no trace of any sexual 
reproduction. 
Still more like the alge are the species of the rare 
genus Monoblepharis, where fertilization is effected by 
ciliated spermatozoids. Another remarkable genus, 
Myrioblepharis, recently discovered by the American 
