Metaphyta Polytrichum. 



105 



when mature, the cell-wall remains as an envelope. Each 

 sperm consists of an elongated spirally twisted body, which 

 terminates in two delicate flagella, by means of which it is 



FIG. 33. Polytrichum 



COJIlMline, TERMINA- 

 TION OF A MALE 



PLANT. (Maout and 

 Decaisne.) 



FIG. 34. Polytrichum commune. PARAI HVRES 



AND SPERM ARIA, ONE OF WHICH EMITS SPERMS. 



(Maout and Decaisne.) 





FIG. 35.P0?ytrjchitm cammune. SPERMS. 

 (Maout and Decaisne.) 



able to move in a fluid medium. When they first escape, 

 the sperms with their enclosing cysts lie in a mucilaginous 

 matrix, which, however, ere long becomes dissolved and 

 disappears. In addition to the spermaria there are nume- 

 rous sterile hairs, or paraphyses, which are slightly different 



