430 Wilson . — Spermatogenesis in the Bryophyta . 
the rod-like bodies, while the remainder produce the inner spherical portion. 
In other spermatids it is possible that the limosphere is produced more 
directly by fusion and expansion of the rod-like bodies without the inter- 
vention of a solid mass. The structure of the body finally produced is, 
however, similar in all cases. 
The conclusions arrived at concerning the formation of the limosphere 
have resulted from the examination of a large number of spermatids which 
had been ‘ fixed ’ in various ways and stained by different methods. The 
difficulties encountered in the determination of the stages are obvious, and 
these are added to by the small size of the bodies in question. The length 
of the longer axis of the spermatid varies from 5 to 7 while the limosphere 
is about 1 -5 /Lt in diameter. These structures also stain with difficulty. The 
best results were obtained by the use of Heidenhain s haematoxylin when 
this was allowed to act for long periods. In preparations stained for 
twenty-four hours and carefully washed out the rod-like bodies and limo- 
sphere are stained an intense black, but when sections are stained for only 
a short time these structures can only be faintly seen in the cytoplasm. 
Similar results were obtained by the prolonged use of Flemming’s and 
Breinl’s triple stains. 
The stage at which the rod-like bodies are present is apparently 
quickly passed over. Although only a few preparations were obtained 
showing these structures, a large number of spermatids were found in them 
in this condition. The fixation in these preparations, judging from the 
younger antheridia, was particularly good. Stages showing the divisions 
of the nucleolus and the formation of the limosphere were frequently found, 
and it may be concluded that both of these are comparatively long processes. 
The limosphere in a large number of spermatids is not a complete 
sphere, and is seen in optical section as a ring interrupted at one point. In 
some cases, however, a complete ring is found (PI. XXXVII, Fig. 35). 
A somewhat similar structure has been observed in the developing sper- 
matids of Poly trichum by J. and W. Docters van Leeuwen-Reijnvaan ( 41 ), 
who consider that it is homologous with the ‘ chromatoider Nebenkorper ’ 
described by Ikeno ( 32 ) in Marchantia . According to these investigators 
the structure is not spherical but ring-like in form. Arens (2) in Mnium 
hornum has also described the occurrence of a sickle- or ring-shaped ‘ Neben- 
korper As already pointed out, the limosphere is seen in optical section 
as a complete or interrupted ring, and since this form is retained from what- 
ever direction the structure is viewed it necessarily follows that the shape 
is spherical. A ring, when seen from the side, would appear as a band, but 
the limosphere has never been seen to assume this form. 
It has already been mentioned that one of the rod-like bodies is 
generally found stretching away from the mass produced by the fusion 
of the remainder. During the changes just described this body is found 
