148 PLANT-LIFE 



many are the risks and chances to which the multitu- 

 dinous spores of the Male Fern are submitted that com- 

 paratively few of them are allowed to develop into 

 mature plants. 



The spores are, for the most part, dispersed by wind, 

 and such as drift on to a suitable substratum germinate. 



FIG. 45. PROTHALLUS OF FERN, UNDER-SURFACE. x 25. 

 Archegonia occur towards the apex, and root- hairs and antheridia near the 



base. 



The product of germination is a prothallus, and the 

 student who desires to investigate this interesting stage 

 in the development of a Fern is advised to scatter some 

 spores on the surface of soil in an ordinary flower- 

 pot. The soil must be kept moist, and the pot should 

 be covered with a sheet of glass to insure a moist atmo- 

 sphere; in the course of about a week the spores will 



