79 



of Mamttla and Amjioptcris. In shape it is very mncli like that of 

 the cotyledon of Ophioglossnm and the reticulate venation is also 

 strikingly similar. The second and third leaves closely resemhle 

 the primary one, except that they are somewhat larger (PL VIII, 

 Fig. 36). The second leaf develops well marked stipules which 

 are found in all of the later leaves. None of the early leaves 

 show a definite midrib, though this appears in the later ones, 

 and there are also formed lateral veins which are joined by 

 the finer reticulations (PI. VIII, Fig. 37). At first a root is formed 

 for each leaf and this possibly is true throughout the life of the 

 sporophyte. The primary root (Pl.VIII, Figs. 32 and 33) has a single 

 initial cell. In the few cases where satisfactory sections were made 

 it did not show the fiimiliar tetrahedral form of the ordinary 

 ferns, which also occurs in Angiopteris and Opliioglossum, but 

 was truncate at the base and appeared four-sided in cross- 

 section. In this respect it resembles Marattia. Transverse sections 

 of the bundle of the root show that it is of diarch structure 

 with a well marked endodermis showing the characteristic 

 radial markings on the walls. No trace of the endophytic fungus 

 was seen in the tissues of the primary root, nor were tannin 

 cells or mucilage-ducts present, such as are conspicuous in the 

 later roots. 



The writer has already expressed his opinion (see: Mosses 

 and Ferns, 2d ed., p. 303) that there is a real relationship 

 between the Maratiaceae and the Ophioglossaceae, although this 

 is not admitted by all botanists. The fact that in several par- 

 ticulars, e. g. the large size of the archegonium, antheridium, 

 and spermatozoids, and the remarkable similarity in the early 

 leaves, Kaulfussia shows a greater resemblance to ( ) phioghssum 

 than do any other of the Marattiaceae, is, I l)elieve, an ad- 

 ditional argument in favor of this view. The regular occurrence 

 of an endophytic fungus, probably in all Marattiaceae, is also 

 not without significance in this connection. I believe also that 

 further comparison of the embryo of the Marattiaceae and 

 Ophioglossaceae will show a closer resemblance than is. usually 

 supposed to exist. 



