MetapJiyta Pteris. 1 27 



male sexual organs originate in the immediate vicinity or 

 generally over the thallus. The true sexual organs of re- 

 production are constructed on precisely the same pattern as 

 those of the moss. 



FIG. 54. Pteris aquilina,. DEVELOPING THALLUS. (Maout and Decaisne.) 



The male organs, or spermaria (antheridia), consist of 

 extremely short multicellular hairs, composed of one central 

 cell and a covering of chlorophyll-bearing cells, originating 

 after -the manner of the sporangia of the sporophyllum. 

 The contents of the central cell become transformed into 

 sperms of peculiar form. Each sperm originates from, and, 



