160 FUNGI. 



which it was surrounded, the quantity of this clear liquid was 

 augmented, and the rosy tint could be more easily distinguished. 

 All the contents of the spore, which up to this time remained 

 divided into two parts, presented altogether one aspect, only con- 

 taining numerous granulations, nearly of equal size, completely 

 filling it, and reaching the inner face of the sporic membrane. 



After this time the sporidium augments in size very rapidly, 

 becoming at times irregular, and sometimes even as much as 

 from two to three times its original dimensions, then there 

 appears at the surface, usually at one of the poles of the ellipse, 

 a small prominence, with an extremely fine membrane, which 

 does not appear to separate itself from that which surrounds the 

 sporidiumj and it is difficult to say whether it is a prolongation 

 of the internal membrane going across the outside, or simply a 

 prolongation caused by a continuation of tissue of an unique 

 membrane. Sometimes there may be seen at the point where 

 the primal filament issues from the sporidium a circular mark, 

 which appears to indicate the rupture of the external membrane. 

 From this time another change comes over the contents. "We 

 again find the yellow oily liquid, now occupying the external 

 position, with some drops of colourless or roseate liquid in the 

 centre^ so that the oily liquid and the more limpid fluid 

 interchange the positions which they occupied previous to 

 the commencement of germination. Whether these two fluids 

 have undergone any change in their constitution is difficult to 

 determine, at all events the oily liquid appears to be less refrac- 

 tive and more granular, and it may be that it is a product of 

 new formation, containing some of the elements of the primitive 

 oily drop. Having regard to the delicate character of the mem- 

 brane of the germinating filaments, De Seynes supposed that it 

 might offer greater facility for the entrance of water by endos- 

 mose, and account for the rapid enlargement of the sporidia. By 

 a series of experiments he became satisfied that this was the 

 case to a considerable extent, but he adds : — " I cannot help 

 supposing that a greater absorption of greasy matter in the cell 

 which is the first product of germination raises an objection to 

 an aqueous endosmose. One can also see in this experience a 



