and on the Sexes of Mosses. 467 



indeed produces fruit in this country ; but in the winter it not uncommonly 

 possesses iiealthy-looking pistilla. I have, however, never been able to de- 

 tect the cell in any of them. The manner of the development of this body 

 is exceedingly simple. Soon after the opening of the upper extremity of the 

 style another cell is formed on the upper surface of the first. The two adhere 

 firmly to each other, and may be dissected out together. Presently another 

 cell is formed, either on the upper surface of the second, or on its side; then 

 appears another, and so on gradually increasing in number. When about 

 ten cells are developed the dissection becomes comparatively easy, and the 

 oblong mass may be exposed, with the original cell'still remaining at the base. 

 In this stage it has become rather flattened on the upper surface from the 

 pressure of the newly-formed cells. 



Whilst this process is going on, the base of the pistillum itself increases in 

 size, not by distention, as is universally supposed, but by the addition of fresh 

 matter. At the same time the style becomes of a red or brown colour, of a 

 rigid texture, and never increases in size after the opening of its canal. In 

 Funarla hjgrometrica the pistillum elongates considerably before the base has 

 increased in diameter, to allow of the rapid growth of the oblong or fusiform 

 mass within, which now occupies its whole length from the apex immediately 

 beneath the hardened style to the very base, and even beyond, having pushed 

 its conical extremity deeper into the tissue, until at last it has actually 

 penetrated the branch itself. After the pistillum has attained a considerable 

 length, its base increases in diameter without a corresponding increase of the 

 central body, so that a space is left between the two. Very shortly the pistillum 

 separates transversely below the dilated portion, and is supported on the apex 

 of v.'hat may now be called the seta, by the more rapid elongation of which 

 the separation has been caused. At this period may be observed a sheath of 

 elastic gummy secretion, embracing the base of the seta, immediately opposite 

 the point of separation between the upper part of the pistillum (now called 

 the calyptra) and the base, which receives the name of vaginula. This sheath 

 of mucous gradually becomes solid and cellular ; and, by its connexion with 

 the vaginula and its firm embrace of the seta, serves to secure the latter in its 

 cavity. 



The extremity of the seta is not invariably conical. The exceptions, how- 



3 p 2 



