SPOROPHYTE OF BOTRYCHIUM 



of one of the species which become green on reaching the sur- 

 face of the soil and in a closely allied order of tropical ferns, 

 the sexual generation is normally a green thallus strikingly like 

 some of the simpler Jungermaniales. 



Fig. 218. The gametophyte and young sporophyte of Botrychium: A, 

 tuberous appearance of the gametophyte — em, a young sporophyte or em- 

 bryo developing in one of the archegonia. B, a section of gametophyte— 

 ar, archegonia ; an, antheridia. C, two antheridia in section. D, male 

 gamete. E, archegonium before dissolution of canal cells. F, gametospore 

 in two-cell stage of germination. G, young sporophyte with roots and 

 first leaf developed but still attached by foot to the round gametophyte, 

 gm. A—F. — After Jeffrey. 



(b) The Germination of the Gametospore. — The early develop- 

 ment of the sporophyte resembles Anthoccros in many respects. 

 The gametospore divides into two cells (Fig. 218, F), from the 

 lower of which a large foot is formed, and from the upper cell 

 the short stem and root arise. Later, the first leaf or cotyledon 

 is formed from the stem. This development of the sporophyte 



