234 
Notes. 
ramifications of gemmae arise many-celled prothallia which are characterized as such 
by the presence of rhizoids and sexual organs. Bower did not observe these 
advanced stages, for he states ‘ after the first steps the further growth is exceedingly 
slow’ (p. 467). I have observed very often that after the four-cell stage of the 
gemmae a development of the, antheridia takes place by the cutting olf of a neck-cell 
from the middle papilla whilst the antheridium develops from the other part (Fig. 5). 
Furthermore I have observed that the antheridia are formed at both extremities of 
the spindle-shaped gemma in the same way (Fig. 6). 
Lastly, I have seen cases where antheridia and prothallia with antheridia grew 
on the same gemma. Such cases are illustrated in Fig. 7. 
At the left extremity of a four-celled gemma is seen a typical antheridium, and 
at the other extremity a cell which has divided twice and from which has developed 
a many-celled prothallium and one aborted cell destined to form a rhizoid. 
This prothallium bears a typical antheridium and several rhizoids which are 
unmistakable signs of its gametophyte nature. 
I would emphasize this fact because in the case of the genus Trichomanes 
the existence of sexual organs in the gemmae has been denied. 
Bower has expressly stated this with regard to Trichomanes Kaulfussii , HK., 
saying: ‘ The filaments show characters similar to those of T. alatum , and though 
no sexual organs have been found upon them in T. Kaulfussii’ (p. 467). 
As far as the transition from the sporophyte to the gametophyte is concerned 
I can only support Farmer and Digby 1 and state ‘ that the transition from the 
sporophyte to the gametophyte in this Fern is attended by no reduction or alteration 
in the number of the chromosomes . . .’ (p. 164). 
I have done my utmost to obtain the exact number of chromosomes in 
sporophyte and gametophyte. 
To this end I have counted the chromosomes in the cells of the leaves on the 
surface as well as at the point, and can fix the approximate number of chromosomes 
at about eighty. 
The counting was carried out at different stages of mitosis, and in every case 
almost the same number was arrived at. 
The chromosomes in prothallium cells were also counted, and the same number 
(about eighty) was found. During this counting the same precautions were used as 
before. No difference between the chromosomes of one and of the other generation 
could be discovered. 
Moreover, the number and the appearance of the nucleoli in both generations 
were the same, so that this distinctive mark was also wanting. On the basis of these 
observations I can only confirm the statement of Farmer and Digby ‘ that so far as 
our present knowledge goes, apospory is always found to imply the absence of the 
meiotic phase from the life-cycle of the organism", and extend it by the result of my 
own research. 
In accordance with this it is impossible to draw a sharp line of distinction 
between sporophyte and gametophyte. 
Belgrade. PETER GEORGEVITCH. 
1 Studies in Apospory and Apogamy in Ferns. Annals of Botany, vol. xxi, no. lxxii, 1907. 
