44 



antherozoids (spermatozoids). The cells round them- 

 selves off and separate from one another. The 

 antheridium tears at its apex, and the small round 

 cells are evacuated. The wall of these small cells 

 when brought in contact with water, swells and 

 bursts, and the male reproductive organs are liber- 

 ated into the water. They each have a thread-like 

 body, and two long cilia. To the posterior end often 

 clings a bladder (which probably has its origin in the 

 central vacuole of the mother cell) which is lost during 

 the swarming. 



(2) The Female Receptacle forms a radially- 

 spreading inflorescence, consisting as a rule of nine 

 rays though more are occasionally present. Between 

 these on the under side are the archegonia. Each row 

 of archegonia is enclosed in a common veil-like 

 covering, fringed at its edges and called the perichm- 

 tium. The oldest archegonium lies nearest the edge 

 and the younger progressively nearer the stalk. Iq 

 a ripe archegonium the following parts can be dis- 

 tinguished : — 



(1) A short stalk. 



(2) A ventral portion. 



(3) The neck. 



An Archegonium arises in the following way : — 



(1) A simple papillae makes its appearance. 



(2) This papillae is cut off by a septum. 



<3; A second septum appears— the lower cell 



