LIFE HISTORY 



365 



threads which are called the pr<>t>>/i, ma (pro-td-ne'mA: 

 Greek, protos, first ; nema, thread). These threads pro- 

 duce buds from which 

 leafy moss plants grow. 

 The latter produce 

 gametes (reproductive 

 cells which reproduce 

 sexually) and so the 

 moss plants are called 

 gametophytes (gamete 

 plants). 



These gametes are of 

 two kinds, eggs (large 

 non-motile cells) and 

 sperms (motile cells). The egg cells are produced in spe- 

 cial vase-shaped organs called archegonia (ar-ke-go'ni-a), 

 and the sperm cells in other organs called antheridia. 



Figure 390. — Diagram. 

 Life history of moss. 



rhiroids 



Figure 391. 

 Antheridial Plant. 



Figure 392. 

 Archegonial Plant. 



When moss plants arc reproducing, both of the reproduc- 

 tive organs are found surrounded by Bterile hairs at the 



