BRi'OPHYTES 



95 



lar thallus body, not at all resembling the " moss plant " 

 of ordinary observation, and is not noticed by those una- 

 ware of its existence. 



Presently one or more buds appear on the sides of this 

 alga-like body (Fig. 81, b). A bud develops into an erect 



A 



Pig. 81. Protonema of moss: A, very yonng protonema, showing spore (S) which 

 has germinated it; B, older protonema, showing branching habit, remains of 

 spore (#), rhizoids (r), and buds (6) of leafy branches (gametophores).— After 

 Muller and Thurgau. 



stalk upon which are numerous small leaves (Figs. 82, 102). 

 This leafy stalk is the " moss plant " of ordinary observa- 

 tion, and it will be noticed that it is simply an erect leafy 

 branch from the prostrate alga-like body. 



At the top of this leafy branch sex-organs appear, cor- 

 responding to the antheridia and oogonia of the Algae, and 

 within them there are sperms and eggs. A sperm and egg 

 fuse and an oospore is formed at the summit of the leafy 

 branch. 



The oospore is not a resting spore, but germinates im- 

 mediately, forming a structure entirely unlike the moss 



