PILULARIA. 241 



The fructifications consist of small globular spore-cases, 

 attached by a very short stalk to the stem at the points 

 Avhence the leaves and roots proceed, being in fact seated 

 at the base, or in the axils of the leaves. They are densely 

 covered externally with pale-brown jointed hairs, and are 

 about the size of a small pea or pepper-corn. These spore- 

 cases are four-celled, and when mature, sjjlit into quarters, 

 the four parts remaining attached to the footstalk by their 

 base. The spores are attached to the interior of these 

 valves along their centre, forming four lines ; the lower 

 part of the spore-case being occupied by the large spores, 

 which are of a greyish colour, and have a roundish-oblong 

 form, with a contraction in the middle, and a terminal 

 nipple-like point, and the upper part being occupied by 

 the small spores, which are oblong pale-yellow bodies, 

 resembling pollen ; both are contained in transparent 

 membranous bags. The larger bodies are probably to be 

 considered as the perfect spores, while the smaller ones are 

 merely abortive spores ; at least this is the most reasonable 

 explanation which has been offered. There is, indeed, no 

 doubt of the larger bodies being spores, since they have 

 been caused to germinate by different persons. 



The Pillwort is widely distributed throughout the United 



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