506 MARSILKACEiE. 



subsequent tlevelopement of the organs of reproduction within, 

 it becomes subdivided irregularly into cells. 



The reproductive organs are fixed to the inner parietes of 

 the capsule, at right angles with its longest diameter. They 

 are subdivided into rather lengthy groups by the cellular par- 

 titions above mentioned, they are attached to the vessels. 



They are of two kinds, one which is, so to say, monospo- 

 rous, and the other, polysporous. 



The former are the least numerous, but of earlier develop- 

 ment, and appear generally to occupy the middle of each sorus, 

 or mass of capsulets. The structure of both is the same : the 

 contents cf that now under consideration, consisting at an early 

 period of a few simple cellules, always imbedded in a mi- 

 nutely grannular mass, and at a later period of a single coria- 

 ceous subwaxy mass, enveloped in an indistinctly cellular en- 

 velope, and surrounded? by minute granular matter, contain- 

 ing some diaphanous cellules, the waxy mass being perhaps a 

 developement in excess of one of these. 



The structure of the partial thecae is in both the same, but 

 that of the true sporules is always smallest and stipitate ; the 

 others being nearly sessile. They are cellular, unprovided with 

 any organ of dehiscence, and contain many massiets of irre- 

 gular outline, consisting of greenish grannular matter, the 

 cells are lax, and entirely simple. 



The true reproductive sporules are in their developement 

 similar to the acknowledged sporules of other Cryptogamous 

 plants. They are formed by the subdivision, always ternary, of 

 a single cell, which cell is lodged in a granular mass, with- 

 out adhesion to the interior of the theca. When nearly de- 

 veloped, they are of very variable size, all being surrounded 

 by a mucilaginous looking fluid. The largest contain many 

 granules, and are hence opaque, globular. The smaller 

 are nearly transparent and empty, and are concavo-convex: 

 the result of their original situation, and aggregation in 

 threes. 



The grumous granular mass in which they are originally 



