124 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



commencement of growth of the germen in the archegonia, 

 hence they become interesting objects for investigation with the 

 microscope. When the archegonium has been fertilized the 

 interior seed-vessel rapidly advances in growth, and the young 

 seta or fruit-stalk may be seen developed at the base, its 

 summit gradually forcing the seed-vessel upwards. As the 

 young capsule rises, the strain on the outer coating of the 

 archegonium is so great as to rupture it transversely, the upper 

 part adhering to the young capsule in its ascension ; this forms 

 the beautiful object known as the calyptra, or veil, which adorns 

 the ripe capsule. 



Calyptra. — Every capsule of moss is at one time clothed 

 with a veil of vastly more delicate texture than the finest gauze ; 

 and this veil or calyptra conceals the fruit-case and contents for 

 a time. The calyptra is of varied form, and constitutes an 

 excellent character for identification. It may be dimidiate, 

 or mitriform, or fringed, or lobed, or hairy. The beautiful 

 Campylopus, or Swan-neck Moss, which grows on old stumps, 

 and invariably bends its fruit stalk so as to hide the capsule 

 amongst the leaves — hence its name — has a fringed dimidiate 

 calyptra, which forms a lovely object for the microscope, either 

 as a dry mount or in glycerine jelly ; and many of the Artho- 

 trichums and Polytrichums have a calyptra not unlike the form of 

 Robinson Crusoe's hat as represented in story books. They are 

 easily removed with a needle point, and should always be 

 examined and their form determined, as the form of .calyptra is 

 sometimes the only or main specific difference in two plants of 

 one genus. 



Capsule. — The capsule, or fruit-case, is sometimes borne on 

 the top of the stem ; it is then called acrocarpous. Sometimes 

 it is borne on the side of the stem ; it is then called pleuro- 

 carpous. These characters must be noted for the purposes of 

 identification. Usually the capsule is symmetrical and urn- 

 shaped, and of all shades, from light green to almost black. 

 One beautiful species, Cyathophorum pennatum., bears its capsules 

 in small cups, and these may be seen lining the stem of this 

 fern-like moss in great profusion in Ferntree Gully. When the 

 calyptra is taken away from the capsule, a neat, well-fitting lid, 

 or operculum, will be seen. These are of varying forms, some 

 having long beaks — i.e., rostrate ; others are conical, and others 

 flat, or convex. In two genera, Andreas i and Phascum, the 

 capsules have no lid, the former splitting in four valves to allow 

 the spores to escape, and the latter bursting for a similar purpose. 



Peristome. — The majority of the moss-capsules bear one, two,. 

 or three peristomes, or rows of teeth, around the mouth of the 

 capsule. If the lid be gently removed, or, better still, if we are 

 fortunate enough to meet with a few capsules that have passed 

 the youthful stage of existence, and have reached the prime of 



