120 BRITISH FERNS. 



having four elastic threads, thickened at the ends, coiled 

 around them. These, when the spore has become ripe, un- 

 roll ; and their elasticity, no doubt, contributes to burst the 

 case in which the spores are contained, as well as to assist in 

 the dispersion of these minute reproductive bodies. They 

 are, indeed, so irritable, that a change of temperature or mois- 

 ture, such as that produced by breathing on the spores, is 

 sufficient to produce this forcible uncoiling. The spores them- 

 selves are very interesting microscopic objects. 



The germination of the spores has been made the subject 

 of experiment by several inquirers, whose observations have 

 been published. It appears that from three to fourteen days 

 after the spores are sown, they send down a thread-like 

 transparent root somewhat thickened at the end, and pro- 

 trude a confervoid, cylindrical, obtuse, articulated thread, 

 which is either two-lobed or simple at the apex. Some days 

 after this, several branches are produced, and become agglu- 

 tinated together, forming a body resembling a bundle of con- 

 fervoid threads, each of which pushes out its own root. 

 These confervoid threads go on growing and combining until 

 a considerable cellular mass is formed. _ Then this mode of 

 development ceases, and a young bud is formed, which pro- 

 duces the stem of an Equisetum, at once completely organized, 

 with its air-cells, its central cavity, and its sheaths, the first 

 of which is formed before the elongation of the stem out of 

 the original cellular matter. 



To watch the minute atoms thus springing into life, deve- 

 loping by degrees their tiny stems, and gaining strength and 

 bulk day by day, until they reach maturity, could hardly 

 fail, one would think, to lead a sensitive mind to pure and 

 wholesome thought, calling up, on the one hand, the con- 

 templation of the wise and beneficent plans and the all- 

 sufficient power of the Creator, by whose ordaining pro- 

 vidence life interminably renewable had thus been made to 

 spring from the dust-like spore ; and at the same time 

 producing, on the other, a just appreciation of the un- 

 certainty and insufficiency of human agency. For, though 

 man may plant and water, yet it is God alone that giveth 

 the increase. 



