526 



MARSILE ACEjE 



surface of the usual colour ; each cell of the surface contain- 

 ing a nucleus, likewise of the ordinary herbaceous colour. 



The fifth stage presents the base of the nucleus surround- 

 ed by small cellular protuberances. (PI. CXX Fig. III., PI. 

 GXXI. Fig. VI.) The moniliform filaments are the same. The 

 cells of the surface of each organ are more developed,and have 

 begun to assume a rosy tint. The nuclei of these cells also 

 are not only more distinctly defined, but are in most cases o f 

 a pink tint, in some deep pink. 



Throughout these stages small cellular protuberances h^ 

 been developing from the axis outside the base of either or^ 

 gan. These at the stage under consideration are simple, 

 jointed, more or less capitate filaments, the head represent- 

 ing the protuberance as it existed originally. PI. CXXI. 

 Fig., Ua.. IV., V., PI. CXXI1. Fig. IV., PI. CXX. Fig. 111. 



The sixth stage presents both organs of a decided pink 

 tint, except the base or often the lower half, the cells of 

 which do not contain a coloured fluid. The apex of both 

 appears distinctly browned, and generally exhibits short 

 moniliform filaments adhering to it. The space between 

 the nucleus and the foramen, is occupied by the joints of the 

 moniliform filaments. Thus far both organs present common 

 appearances. 



But at this stage remarkable dissimilarities begin to be 

 exhibited, and what is equally remarkable these affect either 

 both organs indifferently, or one only of each pair, in which 

 case alone there can be said to be any thing definite in 

 the position of the two. In this case in one organ the 

 developments take place within the nucleus, in the other 

 in the small cellular protuberances round its base. The 

 former becomes the male of Botanists, the latter the female ; 

 or the former becomes the ovate organ presenting the so-call- 

 ed calyptra containing the large yellow sac, surmounted by 

 the curious lobed body ; the latter becomes the globular organ 

 containing the numerous, smaller, pedicellate bodies. Of the 

 first, the first change ascertained was the appearance of a 



