NEPHRODIUM SPOROPHYTE 157 



ii. The bases of the leaves of previous years will be seen, 

 covering the lower part of the stock or stem externally : 

 observe that lateral buds are frequently to be found connected 

 with these, being attached to their ab-axial side, near to 

 their point of junction with the stem. 



iii. Nearer the apex of the stem than the expanded leaves of 

 the current year, and completely covering it, are young leaves, 

 densely covered with ramenta: these, together with the axis, 

 constitute the apical bud. Note that the apex of each such 

 leaf is rolled up like a crozier (circinate vernation). 



C. The roots are rather thin and brown, with transparent 

 apices : they are inserted on the bases of the leaves, close to 

 their junction with the stem : the branching of the roots is mono- 

 podial, and their branches appear in acropetal succession. 



II. Anatomical Characters to be observed with the naked eye. 



II. Having observed the above external characters, remove 

 the roots, keeping the transparent apices of the young roots, as 

 well as the thickest parts of the old roots : these should be 

 preserved in alcohol for further treatment. 



III. Remove from the apical bud. the large quantities of scaly 

 hairs (ramenta), so as to lay bare 



1. The young leaves, with their circinate vernation. 



2. The broad apex of the stem with leaves in various stages 

 of development around it. 



3. The young roots which will be found already present on 

 the bases of the young leaves. 



4. The young buds which may be observed at a very early 

 stage on the posterior side of the leaves. 



Starting from the older end of the stock, cut off successively 

 the persistent bases of the old leaves about half an inch above 

 their insertion on the stem. Observe the lateral bud borne by 

 some of the leaves on the ab-axial side of the leaf-stalk near its 

 base : observe also that the roots spring from the bases of the 

 leaves, close to their insertion on the stem. 



If the specimen be a large one, with a stock 5 or 6 inches in 

 length, cut off about 2 inches of the older end of the stem 



