These spermogones are of a very simple structure—very delicate, indeed; so much so, that they will scarcely bear preparation for demonstration. De Bary states that they originate from plain, delicate, inarticulate threads, about half the thickness of the mycelium (the root-like branching fibres which form the fundamental stratum of fungoid growths), which are developed in large quantities, and closely packed together. These threads are compacted together so as to form an outer enveloping integument or peridium, which is either globular or hemispherical (or in some instances elongated), more or less immersed, and at length opening at the apex (fig. 153) by a regularly formed minute ostiolum. The inner wall of the peridium is covered with a thick forest of simple filaments standing on end. From the summit of these filaments or sterigmata, the spermatia are borne. These are either isolated or associated together in strings or chaplets, are exceedingly minute, of an ovoid or oblong shape, and are produced in such numbers as to fill the cavity of the spermogone. Besides these, a viscid fluid is secreted, in which the spermatia are immersed, and which is expelled with them from the orifice of the peridium. According to the density of this fluid, or the hygrometric state of the atmosphere, it appears sometimes in drops, and sometimes oozing out in threads or cirrhi from the spermogones. To compare minute things with gigantic, as a recent author has observed, it resembles the lava issuing from the crater of a volcano. The colour of this spermatiferous matter is commonly orange, but in some instances brown, though not constantly of the same colour as the spores produced from the same mycelium. This gelatinous substance is dissolved away from the granular bodies which are immersed in it, by adding a little water upon the slide on which the mass is placed for examination. The granules, or spermatia, then exhibit those peculiar movements which have been observed in the similar bodies in lichens, and fitly described as “a sort of oscillating motion, as of a body attached at one extremity.” The cause of this motion is at present uncertain, vibratile ciliæ, to which similar movements are referred, being altogether absent; but probably, as De Bary believes, the cause may be found in the influence of exosmose.