DEVELOPMENT IN THE LADV-FEBN. 355 



posed of 5 or 6 or more flask-shaped bodies, each one larger 

 than the bulbils aforesaid, and seated within an undoubted 

 indusium. The masses were sufficiently large for their forma- 

 tion to be clearly distinguishable by the naked eye, covering more 

 than the space of an ordinary sorus. At this stage no signs of 

 spores or spore-cases could be detected, nor could any axis of 

 growth be perceived ; so that it was impossible to form any theory 

 as to the eventual mode of reproduction which might result ; for 

 although the tips of the flask-shaped pseudobulbils were in some 

 cases elongated into filiform processes, no sign of circulation or 

 resemblance to fronds was visible, added to which the presence of 

 an indusium in the place of the scales common to true bulbils 

 led to the assumption that they were abnormal sporoid growths, 

 and not proliferous ones likely to produce plants by direct bud- 

 growth. 



To test their capabilities I laid down on Nov. 27, in a duly 

 prepared seed-pan, numerous pinnse, which I imbedded edgewise 

 halfway in the soil, the growths being thus brought into im- 

 mediate contact with it, lying as they did along the rhachides of 

 the pinnas. I then placed the pan in slight heat, with the result 

 that the pseudobulbils immediately began to increase in size and 

 to develop in such a fashion, that on Dec. 24 I was able to 

 record an evident foliaceous extension and division of the tips of 

 the pseudobulbils, and the appearance of numerous long rigid 

 glassy-looking rods or hairs which sprang from their bases. 

 These rods bore a strong resemblance to the root-hairs common 

 to the undersides of prothalli ; but their decided upward growth, 

 radiating stiffly, seemed opposed to this view, as also the fact 

 that they sprang from the bases and sides of the pseudobulbils. 

 It is probable, however, that they acted as aerial roots, for 

 the growth of the tips of the pseudobulbils proceeded rapidly, 

 until, on Feb. 10 of the present year, I recorded that they had 

 assumed a decided prothalloid form, while the upright rods had 

 either become deflected or absorbed. Eventually all the tips of 

 the flask-shaped bulbils assumed the form of perfect prothalli of 

 the usual size and shape, the pseudobulbils themselves being 

 absorbed and disappearing, and the usual root-hairs developing 

 under the prothalli. On March 17 several of these prothalli 

 were examined microscopically, both by myself and by the 

 Eev. Mr. Aubrey, of Salisbury (to whom I am indebted lor a.d 

 in observing the final stages of growth), and well-developed arche- 



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