302 



THE YOUNG SPOROPHYTE 



phyte, which has up to this time drawn its nourishment by means 

 of the foot from the gametophyte, is now in a position to care 

 for itself. The prothallium soon withers, leaving the sporophyte 



Fig. 230. Germination of the gametospore : A, section of archegonium 

 after fertilization, showing the four-celled stage of the germinating gameto- 

 spore. The cell r by repeated division forms the first root, c forms the 

 first leaf, s forms the stem and f the foot ; x. apical cell of prothallium. 

 B, later stage. The young sporophyte rupturing the archegonium or 

 calyptra, lettering as in A. 



an independent and self-supporting plant. The first leaf is small 

 and usually bears little resemblance to those of the mature plant, 



Fig. 231. Older sporophyte that lias developed two roots, r, and is un- 

 folding the second leaf, /. but still attached to the withering gametophyte 

 or prothallium. p; rh, rhizoids. 



