296 EVOLUTION OF THE SPOROPHYTE 



In the Bryophyta, it is better nourished, owing to its essential 

 parasitic habit. This led to a larger growth and more complex 

 development and it is especially important to note that the sporo- 

 phyte became more profoundly modified by the stimuli of external 

 conditions than did the gametophyte. For example, we see in 

 the sporophyte of Anthoceros and of the mosses, a plant that is 

 practically dependent upon the gametophyte only for water and 

 the earth substances. So the way is prepared for a study of 

 the next division where the sporophyte finally comes to absorb 

 its crude materials directly from the soil and thus becomes an 

 independent self-supporting plant. 



