828 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
than to the Phaeophyceae. The most important factor, he considers, in 
determining the systematic position of an alga, is the nature and mode 
of development of the organs of reproduction, and no sexual organs have 
yet been discovered in Thorea. The only reproductive organ known, 
the monosporange, presents, it is true, the greatest resemblance to 
similar organs in Chantransia aud Batrachospermum ; but single motion- 
less spores are also known among the Phaeophyceae (Tilopterideae), and 
even among the Chlorophyceae. The mode of growth of the shoot, on 
the other hand, by intercalary elongation, with interposition of newly 
formed filaments, resembles nothing that is known among Florideae, and 
points to some quite different affinity ; while a somewhat similar mode 
of growth is to be found amongst both Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyceae. 
He does not find in Thorea the “ Florideae-starch ” stated by Moebius 
to occur there ; and lays but little stress on the resemblance in colour. 
On the whole the author prefers to consider Thorea as the type of an 
independent group presenting greater affinity with the Phaeophyceae than 
with the Floridese. It may very probably have sprung from the Meso- 
gloieae, A new species, T. Zollingeri from Java, is described. 
Prof. M. Moebius * replies to these arguments, and reiterates the 
reasons for placing Thorea among the Florideae ; these are derived from 
the resemblance to Batrachospermum in the mode of formation of the 
spores, from the colouring of the chromatophores, which resembles that 
of the Florideae, and from the presence of a substance in the cells, 
“ Florideae-starch,” which is coloured brown by iodine. 
Schmitziella, a new Genus of Corallinaceae.f — Mr. E. A. L. 
Batters describes a new species and genus of endophytic algae growing 
on Gladopliora pellucida, to which he gives the name Schmitziella endophloea. 
The following is the diagnosis of the genus : — Thallus haud incrustans, 
endophytus, planus, membranaceus, pseudo-parenchymaticus, venosus ; 
fructus sub cuticula Cladophorse in pustulis conceptaculiformibus hemi- 
sphaerico-depressis apice poro pertusis elevata evolventes, sparsi, minuti, 
pericarpio proprio clauso orbati, soros nematlieciosos formantes. Thalli 
nervis primariis e cellulis elongatis pluro-seriatis (2-8), longe excur- 
rentibus formatis, secundariis monosiphoniis pinnatim egredientibus, 
alternis, una cum precedentibus reticulum efficientibus, maculae cujus 
cellulis (ramulis) irregularibus plus minus densis implentur. Et carpo- 
sporis et sphaerosporis paraphysibus paucis immixtis; sphaerosporis 
oblongis, zonatim divisis. Antheridiis ignotis. The essential points 
of structure place it undoubtedly among the Corallinaceae. 
iEgagropilae.J — By this name Prof. Gr. v. Lagerheim designates those 
marine algae which assume a more or less spherical form, and are in this 
condition driven about freely in the sea. In those hitherto recorded each 
mass consists of a single individual which has developed in all directions. 
Among Florideae only a few examples are known : — Fastigiaria fur - 
cellata var. segagropila, and possibly some species of Lithothamnion. 
Among Phaeophyceae there is ouly a single known instance, — Sphacelaria 
cirrhosa var. segagropila. In the Chlorophyceae they are much more 
* Tom. cit., pp. 266-70. f Ann. of Bot., vi. (1892) pp. 185-94 (1 pi.). 
X La Nuova Notarisia, iii. (1892) pp. 89-95. 
