12 



BEITISH MOSSES. 



in life ; the hypha has been divided into numerous cells by 

 the transverse septa or walls ; lateral branches have grown. 

 Two letters a will be observed on the diagram. At the 

 left hand a the divisions of the cells have assumed a new 

 inclination so as to cut the cells into rudimentary leaves, 

 and we have the first promise of the Moss plant. At the 

 right hand a we have another Moss 

 plant in a far more advanced stage, 

 showing distinct traces of leaves, and 

 having thrown out rootlets (r) down- 

 wards. The Moss plant when mature 

 assumes generally, but not universally, 

 a form referable to one or other of the 

 two types already described, either the 

 pleurocarpous form shown by Fig. 1 or 

 the acrocarpous form shown in Fig. 2. 

 This Moss plant is a structure of very 

 considerable complexity, and often of 

 great beauty of form. Sometimes it 

 assumes the likeness of some of the 

 smaller and more delicate ferns; but 

 very rarely would it be taken for a 

 flowering plant, even by a casual 

 observer. 



The Moss plant produces organs 

 with two distinct functions, comparable 

 the one to the pistil and ovary, and 

 the other to the stamens including the 

 anthers of a flowering plant. The organ corresponding 

 with the pistil is called the archegonium or archegone ; 



FIG. 7. Archegone 

 greatly magnified. 

 c. Canal, o. Oo- 

 sphere. After Ber- 

 keley. 



