30 HISTORY OF BRITISH MOSSES. 



attention to this branch of Muscology, fda mecnlenta, 

 succulent threads. They vary in form, but are in general 

 jointed filaments like some of the lower Pungi or moulds. 

 Recent writers on Muscology designate them paraphyses, 

 and the minute Vibrio has been detected in some of them*. 



As has already been said, there seems no good reason to 

 suppose that, not'withstanding some degree of resemblance, 

 these bodies perform the same functions as the reproductive 

 organs of more perfect plants. They arc well worthy of 

 examination by the youthful muscologist, and those who 

 intend to study the anatomy, physiology, or classification of 

 the family, must investigate them with care, as it is pro- 

 bable that the classification of future works on ^Mosses will 

 be founded in a great measure on the structure of these 

 minute organs, as has already been done in the valuable 

 ' Muscologia Europsea' of Bruch and Schimper, and Midler's 

 Synopsis. 



With these brief remarks on the gemma?, we proceed 

 to examine the Capsule, Theca, or Seed-vessel of a Moss, 

 familiar to all in country walks, especially throughout the 

 winter months. 



* The small powdery masses found on the tips of the leaves of TetrapMs 

 and various JiLngermannia, are of quite another nature. 



