261'2 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



LVIII. Botrycliiiini inat)-icaria[foUiii>i A. Br. Matricary Grape-fern. 



This fern grows in grassy woods and swamps. 



1. Sketch the entire sporophyte and note the advance in complexity over 

 the moonwort. 



LIX. Botryc/tiiini obliqmim Muhl. Oblique Grape-fern. 



This grape-fern is widely distributed and may be collected in summer and 

 autumn. 



1. Sketch the entire .sporophyte and note the advance in complexity over the 

 preceding in the development of the sporangiophore, leaf and roots. 



2. Study the venation of the leaf under low power. Is there any relation 

 between the development of lobes and the venation ? 



3. Mount a branch of the sporangiophore and draw several sporangia under 

 low power. Draw some of the nonsexual spores. 



4. Ecological note. Notice the strong root-contraction and draw under dis- 

 secting microscope. How does the upright rhizome which continues to grow 

 upward keep in the ground ? 



LX. Botrychinm virgiiiianuiii (L.) Sw. Virginia Grape-fern. 



The Virginia grape-fern is common in rich woods and should be collected in 

 the summer. 



1. Sketch the entire sporophyte, showing especially the extreme complexity 

 of the leaf. What relation is there between the ultimate segments of the leaflets 

 and the venation ? 



2. Compare the last five plants in regard to the sporangiophore, the leaf- 

 blade and the roots. 



3. Cut cross sections of the rhizome, mount, and draw under low power, 

 showing the wide cortex, the endodermis, the phloem, the cambium, the xylem 

 (wood) with medullary rays, and the central pith. 



4. Cut longitudinal sections of the fleshy root tips, mount the central sec- 

 tions, and draw a tip showing the apical cell. 



5. The gametophytes of the grape-ferns are subterranean and difficult to 

 find. They are destitute of chlorophyll and have the appearance of minute tubers. 

 If fresh or preserved material of the gametophyte of the Virginia grape-fern is 

 at hand, study and sketch under dissecting microscope or low power, showing 

 the general contour of the body and the rhizoids. 



6. Note. The advance from such forms as Splachnum and Anthoceros to 

 Ophioglossum represents a vertical evolution, i. e. evolution upwards. The 

 development indicated in passing through the series of forms from Ophioglossum 

 vulgatum to Botrychium virginianum represents a horizontal evolution. There 

 is a close relationship among these ferns. It must not be supposed, however, 

 that the latter has necessarily been derived directly from the former, but only 

 that the ancestors of Botrychium were at one time in a condition as simple as 

 Ophioglossum is at the present time. 



