the Cystocarp in Rkodomelaceae. 295 
defined and cannot be traced ; but the three other cells of the 
branch remain imbedded among the cortical cells of the new 
branch as a row of diminutive cells, — dead and deeply stained 
with their own colouring matter. I have seen one instance of 
a similar proliferated appendage with an atrophied carpogonial 
branch in Chondria tenuissima . 
When fertilization, however, occurs, immediate changes 
ensue in the procarpial structures. Cases where the sperm- 
atium is still adhering to the trichogyne may be observed 
commonly ; but I was unable by the closest observation to 
discover the conjugation-process or ooblastema, by which the 
carpogonium and the auxiliary cell are put into communication 
with each other. One cannot, however, doubt but that, as 
Schmitz affirms, such a fusion of the contents of the carpo- 
gonium with those of an auxiliary cell, whether the pericentral 
cell or a derivative, does take place. The comparative study 
of other Floridean groups, and the subsequent history of the 
procarpial cells, combine to render the fact almost certain. 
In the absence of direct ocular proof of the phenomenon in 
this group Schmitz is led to wonder whether the process may 
not be one of fertilization rather than conjugation, i. e. one in 
w’hich there is a transference of nuclear matter through fine 
pores, rather than an emptying of the whole or greater part 
of the contents through a relatively large pit. It is certain 
that the carpogonium remains distinguishable even after the 
formation of spores, which seems to tell in favour of a process 
of fertilization properly so called. It has occurred to me that 
the actual fusion may take place in the night, as is well known 
to be the case with some of the Green Algae. The fact remains 
that, up to the present, no trace of the ooblastema-thread from 
the fertilized carpogonium has been observed. In Rhodomela 
subfusca y the consequences of fertilization are three-fold, 
First, the auxiliary cell itself shuts off a large cell from its 
upper part, just the region, it may be noted, with which 
conjugation must have been effected. At first it might seem 
that the auxiliary cell had divided into two almost equal parts. 
Close examination, however, shows that all four pit-connexions, 
