DEVELOPMENT OF PLANTS 



273 



and the lower part of it, known as the foot, comes into close 

 contact with the tissues of the plant from which it absorbs nour- 

 ishment (Figs. 193, 194). The outer cell divides, forming a 

 spherical mass of cells that resembles the capsule of Ricciocarpiis. 



Fig. 194. Structure of the nearly mature sporophyte: A, continuation 

 of the growth in Fig. 193, C, showing the formation of a foot, /, stalk, and 

 capsules, c, which contain elongated dark cells, the elaters, and the spores. 

 The archegonium has been ruptured by the elongation of the stalk and is 

 not shown in the figure, p, perianth. B, enlargement of the base of A , 

 showing the attachment of the foot (indicated by darker lines) to the tissues 

 of the aai^erittial stalk. C, an elater and spores. /^ 



^-V 



Fig. 195. Archegonial branch with mature sporophytes: A, branch with 

 the dark capsules of several sporophytes projecting beyond the curtains of 

 the involucre. B, diagram of a branch as seen in section. On the right 

 one of the capsules of a sporophyte ruptured, exposing the elaters and spores. 

 On the left the curtain-like involucre only is shown. 

 19 



