Studies of Spermatogenesis in the Hepaticae. Iv. On the Blepharoplast of Blasia

Spermatogenesis in Blasia pusilla L. was reexamined with electron optics to help evaluate conflicting results of the two earlier light microscope studies of this species. The present micrographic resumé of spermatid transformation confirms Sharp's observation of centrosomes in very young spermatids and agrees with Woodburn's general account of spermatozoid maturation. Further, male gamete development in Blasia is shown to be closely comparable to that of Marchantia and Pellia . It is concluded that Sharp's report of blepharoplast development in Blasia by fragmentation and coalescence was based on anomalous plant material.