MARSILE A. 



501 



The males ? from the earliest period are the largest : they 

 consist when young of suborbicular subscssile cellular sacs, 

 containing granular matter in which are to be seen, though in- 

 distinctly, the rudiments of distinct cells. At a somewhat 

 later period they have increased in size, and the inner cellules 

 are most distinct. For sometime no material change occurs, 

 when traces of an inner sac surrounded by an obscure enve- 

 lope are traceable. 



These however are not separable, the contents remain the 

 same. At a later period the innermost envelope is separable, 

 it has assumed its opaque appearance, and somewhat of its 

 subsequently coriaceous texture, it is surounded by thin mucil- 

 ginous pellicle, it contains no granules, at this period there 

 is an obvious cavity in its interior, which is demonstrable by 

 pressure. As the developement proceeds, the nucleus be- 

 comes more coriaceous, more easily separable, its pro- 

 per tunic always adhering, becomes thicker, and a cavity is 

 demonstrable in its interior, running in the direction of the 

 largest diameter, it still remains empty. The next step con- 

 sist in the developement of its stalk, (which always remains 

 very short,) and in the maturation of the three envelopes. 

 "When fully formed, the coriaceous coat will be found to contain 

 grumous granular matter, and amylaceous granules. The de- 

 velopement of the female is as follows, it has no corres- 

 pondence with that of the males. 



At an early period the contents as well as the structure of 

 these is similar to that of the males, but their form is differ- 

 ent, being orbicular, and they are moreover, stipitate. 



Within the grumous mass by which they are filled and ren- 

 dered turged at an early period, cells are distinctly seen to be 

 imbeded, and these cells present towards their centre, traces 

 of an almost always ternary division, they consist at this 

 period of one tunic ? These cells are all of equal size. At s 

 rather later period, these bodies present a more decided ap- 

 pearance of subdivision, and are surrounded by a hyaline en- 

 velope, they are colourless. 



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