Spermatogenesis in Coleochaete scutata

Abstract

1. Antheridia are produced from the middle of June until the middle of October in the region in and about Chicago. 2. The cells from which bands of antheridia are formed may begin by the division of a single cell or by division of groups of cells some distance apart. The first group arises about halfway between the center and the circumference of the disk. Outer and inner bands appear later, sometimes arising almost simultaneously. 3. The first division of a vegetative cell produces two daughter cells, antheridia mother cells, by whose division antheridia are formed. 4. The second division produces an antheridium from each daughter cell formed at the first division. 5. The sister cell of the second antheridium is a large sevensided vegetative cell, which remains after the escape of the two antherozoids from the antheridia. 6. More than four antheridia may be developed from one vegetative cell. 7. The outer wall of the sister cell of the last antheridium formed becomes rounded and thickened, until it takes on more or less the appearance of the outer wall of the ordinary vegetative cell. 8. Hairs are sometimes produced by these sister cells of the last antheridium formed. 9. Some antheridia contain normal chloroplasts, some contain chloroplasts that appear to be disintegrating, while still others show no chloroplasts at all. 10. The antherozoids formed from each of the daughter cells of the first division usually escape through a common pore.