HOW FERNS GROW 



ring. When the spores 

 within are nearly ripe the 

 ring becomes dry. This 

 causes a strain that bursts 

 the spore case. The ring 

 straightens out with a 

 jerk, tearing open the 

 spore case and scattering 



the Spores in all direc- The Stalked Spore Case. 1, Closed; 

 tions. The wind Often 2, Open;. 3, Scattering the Seeds. 



carries them great dis- 

 tances. 



When the spores are 

 set free they fall to the 

 ground. If the soil is 

 moist, they will begin 

 to grow in a few days. 

 The brown coat bursts 

 open. A long tube, di- 

 vided into cells by cross 

 partitions, springs from 

 it. Then hairlike roots 

 a, A Spore before it Begins to Grow; are seen here and there. 



b, Opened Spore with Tube Show- These fasten the young 



ing Cross Partitions and Root-like p l ant to the Soil. Soon 



Hairs; c, Tube with End Rattened r . , .. , 



into Prothallium; d, Tube with the end of tne 



Prothallium Full Grown. flattens out and forms 



17 



