84 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



The specimen selected for examination is the 

 Fimaria hygromctrica, L. First make a section of the 

 stem (Fig. 48), and compare with any vascular 

 cryptogam, such as the fern ; it will be seen to differ 



Fig. 48. — Transverse section of stem. 



Fig. 49.— Leaf with Antheridia. 



(||m..''0 \W 



Fig. so- — Antheridium of Funaria. 



widely, in the absence of vascular bundles. In most 

 mosses we find an outer layer of thick walled cells 

 which passes into a mass of tissue in the centre. 

 These are not sharply defined, and are said to 



perform the function of a vascular bundle, in the 

 conduction of sap. Now note the leaves of Funaria 

 (Fig. 49), by plucking off any of the upper ones, and 

 place beneath a cover slip in a drop of water. They 



Fig. SI-— Archegonium of Funaria. 



Fig. 52. — Theca of Funaria. 



are of a simple structure, with the exception of the 

 midrib, and consist of a single layer of parenchyma, 

 containing granules of chlorophyll ; it originates 

 from the bulging of a stem cell, afterwards separated. 



