IQ20J 



CHA MBERLAIN—BOTRYCHIUM 



393 



mutant from B. obliquum. In ordinary cases such a conclusion 

 would be tested by sowing the spores and growing the plants; but, 

 so far as we are aware, no one has ever succeeded in raising prothallia 

 of any species of Botrychium from the spore. Even if someone 

 should find out how to grow prothallia and sporelings, it would 





Figs. 3-5. — Two vigorous plants of B. obliquum; plant of B.disseclum with typi- 

 cal leaf and roots, but with unusually good sporangia: small plant of B. obliquum. 



take a long time to secure any results. How long the spore may 

 rest before germinating is problematical; but even after it ger- 

 minates it is probably a year or more before the pro thallium reaches 

 the fertilization stage. In adult plants the leaf is in its fourth year 

 when it appears above ground. Consequently at least five years, 

 and more probably six or eight years, would elapse between the 



