’ 
Germination and raifing of Ferns from the Seed. 99 
calyx, and confifts of a number of {mall globules or capfules: 
each capfule is girt with an elaftic and | pparently articulated ring, 
which when dry, breaks fuddenly, rends the capfule, and fcatters 
the feeds in the form of a fine duft *.—2. One of the capfules and 
its elaftic ring magnified.— 3, 4, and 5. Different views of the 
capfule burfting and difcharging the feeds.—6. The feeds highly 
magnified appearing full of dots, as if they contained another fe- 
ries of bodies within them: this has been alleged as a proof of their 
not being the real feeds. —7. The feed burft by being bruifed when 
moift, its contents giving the appearance of {mall grains mixed in 
a tranfparent mucilage.—8, 9, 10, and 11. Different degrees of 
progrefs in the germination, to be feen only by being highly magni- 
fied.—12. A whole capfule prevented from burfting by moifture, 
with the feeds vegetating, and making their way through it.— 
13. The firft appearance of the young fern in the form of a {mall 
thin fcale; thefe may be feen by the naked eye.—14 The fcales 
gradually becoming larger, and appearing like {mall /chens or liver- 
worts.—15. The firft appearance of the firft true leaf of the fern. 
—16, 17. Ferns with the fecond and third leaves beginning to 
take the form of their proper {pecies. 
2 ETN S EE TEIN 
HAVING now given fome ufeful additions to the hiftory of this 
beautiful tribe of plants, the Ferns, I fhall conclude with ex- 
preffing my hopes that fome additional light will foon be thrown 
on the fruétification and germination of thofe curious vegetables 
the Mufci or Moffes, and others of the clafs Cryptogamia, by men 
of abilities, and {hall give an inftance in proof that the hope is 
* With the anthera, or what is analogous to it, I am yet unacquainted; it has been 
fuppofed to be the elaftic ring, but I do not know if with good reafon. 
O 2 not 
