TERMINOLOGY OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF PLANTS. 31 
sperm and ovum for male and female gametes; zygospore 
for a resting cell or non-motile zygote formed by the 
conjugation of equal and similar gametes; zygozoospore 
for a similarly formed motile zygote; and oosperm for a 
zygote formed by union of ovum and sperm.”’ 
We are at one then upon the use of the terms ovum 
and sperm. Ovary and spermary, I confess I do not like, 
(1) because the word ovary, as Professor Parker himself 
points out, is already in use in another and quite mis- 
leading sense (in Botany), and all biologists know how 
difficult it is to change the meaning of an already well 
recognised term; and (2) because I prefer the Latin 
equivalents (Bennett and Murray notwithstanding) as 
being applicable for discussion in all languages and not in 
English only. Zygospore and zygozoospore seem to me 
to be open to yet graver objections. I think the distinction 
between the condition of mobility and immobility of 
comparatively small consequence, as being merely a 
physiological peculiarity in the special group. Recent 
researches have left scarcely any doubt that the products 
known by these names, in many groups at least, e.g. the 
Conjugate, Diatomacez, &c. are really products of sexual 
union and therefore not spores in any sense. 
I am inclined to agree with Professor Parker (and also 
with Mr. Myles) in the necessity for a word to denote the 
immediate product of union of the sperm and ovum, and 
therefore adopt the term suggested by both these biologists, 
viz. oosperm—a word obviously suitable in every respect, 
and having the additional advantage of having commended 
itself to embryologists like Prof. F. M. Balfour and Prof. 
Haddon. The cases where sexuality is apparently not 
differentiated are few and becoming fewer year by year 
as further research among the lower plants progresses. 
Hence I question whether these terms gonad, gamete, and 
