252 GENERAL MORPHOLOGY OF PLANTS. 



ber of small sperm cells. These escape at some little distance 

 from the egg case. Of the large number of sperms formed 

 only a very few ever reach the egg to fertilize it. The produc- 

 tion of the large number of sperms is a provision of nature to 

 make sure that some by chance will reach the egg. Since the 

 sperm case is some distance from the egg case it is necessary that 

 some means shall be provided to bring the sperm to the egg. The 

 sperms have two or several cilia and are free swimming. 



