NEPHRODIUM SPOROPHYTE 



159 



foliar gap. Observe also that the vascular bundles, which pass 

 out into any individual leaf, are given off from the margin of its 

 own mesh. 



Confirm these observations by the dissection of the stock : 

 the parenchyma may be easily removed, leaving the vascular 

 system as a network of stronger bundles, which gives off nume- 



FIG. 10. Vascular skeleton prepared by maceration and dissection from the stem of 

 Nephrodium Filix mas. (After Reinke.) (2 : i.) 



rous weaker bundles from the margins of its meshes ; these 

 weaker bundles run out into the leaves. 



By careful dissection a skeleton may be prepared similar 

 to that shown in Fig. 10. 



Ill . Microscopic Investigation. 



V. Cut transverse sections of the stock of Nephrodium : it 

 is hardly to be expected that a transverse section of so bulky a 



