1868.] BRAITHWAITE — ORGANIZATION OF MOSSES. 



469 



as many fruits enclosed in one perichaetium as in Mnium and 

 Dieranum ma jus. 



Having made you acquainted with the reproductive organs, we 

 shall be prepared to follow out their functions. As stated, the 

 antheridium at maturity bursts at the apex, and out pass the 

 spermatozoids as a cloud of active particles ; the archegonium 

 equally prepares for their reception, the apex of the stylidium 

 ruptures, the edges of the aperture roll back forming a trumpet- 

 shaped orfice, from which we can trace a fine duct passing down to 

 the germinal cell, and more evident now because it has acquired 

 a reddish tinge. Both Hofmeister and Schimper have seen the 

 spermatozoids within this canal. 



The germinal cell, now fertilized, immediately commences its 

 own proper development, first downward ; perforating the base 

 of the archegonium, it fixes itself in the receptacle or apex of the 

 stem, just as a stake is driven into the earth ; then upward to 

 form the seta or fruit stalk, and the contents of the archegonium 

 being thus consumed, its delicate walls are ruptured, the lower 

 part remaining attached to a process of the receptacle, as a little 

 sheath — the vaginula (fig. 13) ; the upper carried aloft, becomes 



Fig. 13. Young fruit of Orthotrichum 

 crispum, showing Yaginula and 

 hairy Calyptra. 



Fig. 14. Mitriform calyptra of 

 Encalypta. 



the calyptra, or veil, and the seta, having attained its full length, 

 begins to enlarge at the apex to form the capsule. 

 Yol. ITT. D No. 6. 



