246 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
of eight slightly concave triangular cells, crenellate at the edge; 
the crenells dove-tailing together so as to form a sphere when 
united with a corresponding partition directed towards the centre 
of the cell, occupying about a third of its breadth; that part which 
is turned towards the antherid is clothed with a lining of red 
granules, the rest of the cell containing a colourless liquid which 
gives it transparency, and produces the appearance of the antherid 
being surrounded by a whitish ring. To the centre of each cell 
is attached an oblong vesicle filled with orange-coloured granules 
arranged in lines, and presenting a very remarkable circulation. 
The eight vesicles emanating from the eight cells converge in the 
centre of the antherid, where they are united by a small cellular 
mass; while a ninth vesicle of the same nature, but larger and 
bottle-shaped, fixes the antherid, its broad base being attached to 
a branch of the plant, while its other extremity, penetrating the 
four lower valves, is fixed in the central cellular mass of the 
antherid. From this point also are a number of wavy transparent 
tubes divided by partitions, in each joint of which is borne ® 
thread-like anthozoid rolled up on itself several times. When 
these tubes are young their joints contain only a small granular 
mass forming a nucleus of oval form and greyish colour, of irre- 
gular form and higher refractive power, as well as more defined 
edges at the base. This nuclei subsequently disappears, leaving a 
brilliant point encircled with black on each. side of the joint 
This is the first indication of the appearance of an anthero70l® 
and it is produced by the circumvolution of their thread-like body- 
By degrees the antherid dehisces; the valves or cells turn back on 
_ the branch, dragging with them the oblong central vesicle, to a 
extremity of which a portion of the cellular mass adheres, whe 
selves, under the microscope, twisting and turning in all directions 
in the cavity which contains them. They eventually escape uy® 
sudden movement which resembles the action of a spring: o 
free they resemble a thread twisted up into a corkscrew form Mion 
three or four turns, like the fragments of spiral vessels, 1H fiel 
of the microscope is quickly covered with little thread-like bodies 
swimming with a singular tremulous motion. They beac 89 « 
their axis, always preserving the screw form, for their spiral a 
