98 



THE OPHIOGLOSSALES 



The anatomy of 0. simplex, so far as it has been investigated (see Bower 8) 

 corresponds closely with that of the other species of the section OphioAerma. 



The roots of 0. pendulum also show the tetrahedral apical cell (tig. 67), but the 



divisions arc much less regular than in 

 0. moluccanum and probably the other 

 species ot tin- kuopluoglossum. 1 he 

 segments divide slowly and increase a 

 good ileal in size before tin- first divi- 

 sions take place, so that the youngest 

 segments may equal the apical cell in 

 size, and there is thus a certain resem- 

 blance to the apical meristem in the 

 root of the Marattiaceae. It is prob- 

 able that, as in the Marattiaceae, the 

 lateral segments of the apical cell also 

 contribute to the root cap, which is 

 rather better developed than it is in 

 0. moluccanum. 



There is a good deal of difference 

 in the structure of the root bundle 

 (fig. 68). Ibis is diarch in the primary 

 root, as we have seen, and also in the 

 smaller ones of older sporophytcs; but 

 in the larger roots, which may reach 

 a diameter of over 3 millimeters, it is 

 1 ■'" ■• '")■ tiiarch; tetrarch bundles are also corn- 



Five specimens of o. intermedium Hk., slightly reduced. mon. and in one very large root which 



C and D have a very much reduced lamina. , ■ i i i ' 1 1 1 



1 examined the bundle was pentarch, 

 but one of the xvlem rays was shorter than the others, the xylem forming a solid 

 central mass having the form of an irregular five-pointed star. 



Fig. 70. 



\. Small plant of Ophioglossum palmalum L., growing as a bud upon a root fragment 



B. Hairs from base of leaf. X35. 



C. Section of petiole of a large leaf. X7.5. 



