ISOETES. 



5/3 



It is of constant occurrence, and is evidently produced from 

 the leaf, with the vessels of which it has the same relations as 

 the female, it is persistent, and appears subsequently to be- 

 come fimbriately lacerate. 



The receptacle of the females is at first solid, but it is di- 

 vided partially, and irregularly, by those parts of the cellular 

 tissue which remain comparatively unchanged. The separa- 

 tion of the tissue forming the parent cells, takes place in a 

 somewhat linear series, appearing on a transeverse section to 

 occupy the centre of each cell. These cells are much larger 

 than the surrounding ones, which up to a late period, preserve 

 the original fuscescent colour, different from the opaque ap- 

 pearance of the partitions. The parent cells at the earliest 

 period in which I have seen them, adhere to the surrounding 

 ones, and are filled with grumous matter \ they are very easily 

 ruptured. 



They then become forced from their connections, the hya- 

 line edge becomes more apparent, shewing the envelope to be 

 more decidedly formed, and at the same time small nucelli 

 3-4, may be seen in the grumous molecular looking contents. 



The next change consists in the separation of the grumous 

 matter into 3 or 4 masses, each of which has generally its nu- 

 cellus. 



The hyaline membrane continues to be more manifest ; com- 

 plete separation of the nucleary, the future spores take place ; 

 they become completely formed or shaped out, and the parent 

 cell itself divides into a corresponding number of intimate 

 contiguous cells which subsequently disappear. 



All the contents of the female have the same origin, and 

 development ; but generally some suddenly (?} take on a greater 

 development, answering to those considered as the males, the 

 others remain as spores ; transitions of form between these oc- 

 cur, and they subsequently become spores, some being large r 

 than the others. 



Those called males contain in their first stages a fluid with 

 which they are turged, but subsequently they, like the others, 

 enclose a membranous bag, filled with amylaceous granules. 



