CRYPTOGAMOUS OR FLOWERLESS PLANTS. [SECTIOiN i7,. 



bejT globular or pill-shaped fruit (Sporocarps) on the lower part of their 

 leaf-stalks or on their slender creepiug stems. The leaves of the cominonei 

 species of Marsilia might be taken for four-leaved Clover. (See Fig. 520.) 

 The sporocarps arc usually raised on a short stalk. Witliin they are 

 divided lengthwise by a partition, and then crosswise by several partitions. 

 These partitions bear numerous delicate sacs or spore-cases of two kinds, 

 intermixed. The larger ones contain each a large spore, or macrospore ; 

 the smaller contain numerous microspores, immersed in mucilage. At 

 maturity the fruit bursts or splits open at top, and the two kinds of spores 

 are discharged. Tlie large ones in germination produce a small prothallus ; 

 upon which the contents of the microspores act in the same way as in 

 Ferns, and with a similar result. 



496. Azolla is a little floating plant, looking Uke a small Liverwort or 

 Moss. Its branches are covered with minute and scale-shaped leaves. 

 On the under side of the branches are found egg-shaped thin-walled sporo- 

 carps of two kinds. The small ones open across and discharge micro- 

 spores ; the larger burst irregularly, and bring to view globose spore-cases, 

 attached to the bottom of the sporocarp by a slender stalk. Tliese delicate 

 spore-cases burst and set free about four macrospores, which are ferti- 

 lized at germination, in the manner of the Pillworts and Quillworts. 

 (See Fig. 521-52G.) 



497. Cellular Cryptogams (iS3) are so called because composca, 

 even in their higher forms, of cellular tissue only, without proper wood- 

 cells or vessels. Many of the lower kinds are mere plates, or ribbons, 

 or simple rows of cells, or even single cells. But their higliest orders 

 follow the plan of Ferns and phanerogamous plants in having stem and 

 leaves for their upward growth, and commonly roots, or at least rootlets. 



Fig. 521. Small plant of Azolla Caroliniana. 522. Portion magnified, showing 

 the two kinds of sporocarp; the small ones contain nncrospores ; 523 represents 

 one more magnified. 52-1. Tlie larger sporocarp more magnified. 525. Same 

 more magnified and burst open, showing stalked spore-ca.ses. 526. Two of the 

 latter highly magnified ; one of them bursting .shows four contained macrosporHs; 

 between tlie two, three of these spores highly magnified. 



