462 
SISTER M. ELLEN 
of the calyptras, growth of the enveloping sheaths, the dehiscence of the 
capsules, and finally by an apparently normal dispersal of the sporelings. 
An examination of these sporelings from time to time, previous to and 
following the elongation of the stalks of the carpocephala, showed no 
change in them until the stalks were about three centimeters in length. 
Then there occurred a slight increase in size of the sporelings, cell divisions, 
and good chlorophyll development. The sporelings apparently did not 
develop any further before their dispersal unless it was that there was more 
extensive chlorophyll development than before the divisions. At the time 
of dispersal the sporelings showed only 8 to 12 cells each, instead of 30 to 
40 cells as is the case with the sporelings dispersed under natural out-of-door 
conditions. All these sporelings were still enclosed within the spore walls. 
Some of them were sown, and their subsequent development was almost as 
rapid as had been observed in those that were subjected to normal out-of- 
door conditions. The number of primary rhizoids, however, was never 
more than two, and in most cases there was but one to each sporeling (figs. 
26, 28). The number of secondary rhizoids in each case was also small as 
compared with the number produced by thalli which grew from normally 
developed sporelings. 
Cavers' (2) description of the mature "spores" of Conocephalum conicum, 
both as to the number of their cells and the number of primary rhizoids 
developed subsequent to their being sown, is very similar to my observa- 
tions just detailed on plants which had been subjected to artificial conditions. 
It seems possible, therefore, that the plants which he studied were also 
subjected to other than perfectly natural conditions. 
Summary 
1. The spore mother cells of Conocephalum conicum are well developed 
in this region before September first, and the spores are freed from the spore 
mother cell walls about the middle of September. Toward the end of the 
month the spores are well-rounded, rough-walled, and each contains a 
relatively large nucleus. 
2. In the early part of October cell division begins, this being preceded 
by growth and by a heavy deposit of starch. Before the middle of the 
month as many as five cells are seen in a median longitudinal section, so 
that there are probably as many as six to eight cells in each sporeling. These 
cells all remain within the spore wall. 
3. Before winter sets in, there is a thickening of the partition walls, a 
deposition of starch, and growth in the cells formed by the division of the 
spores. In this condition the usually six- to eight-celled sporelings rest 
through the winter. 
4. Cell division is resumed with the coming of the first warm weather 
in the spring and proceeds rapidly until the stored food is consumed. 
Then, during a pause in cell division, there is growth of the cells, a rapid 
