127 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND BLOSSOMS. 



stem, because it ends in several unbranched joints, without any 

 fructification. Before these barren stems appeared there arose 

 from the rootstock a stem differing greatly in appearance, 

 usually without branches, and lacking the green colouring 

 matter (chlorophyll}. It is pale brown in colour, of stouter 

 build, but much shorter, for whereas the barren stem is about 

 two feet in length, the fertile is only a few inches, or at most 

 less than a foot. The leaf-sheath is longer, and the teeth 

 frequently adhere two or three together. The stem terminates 

 in a kind of cone, consisting of many whorls of flat scales, 

 each supported by a central stalk, on the underside of which 

 are arranged from six to nine capsules containing spores. 

 These spores are very curious : they are globular in form, and 

 invested with several coats, the outermost of which splits into 

 four narrow strips, which are highly hygroscopic, and which 

 remain attached to the spore at one point only. These 

 elaters, as they are termed, are very sensitive to changes in 

 the humidity of the atmosphere, as may be proved by breath- 

 ing upon them, however slightly, when they will be seen 

 (through the microscope) to be in active movement. In many 

 ferns the spores require months to elapse before germination 

 takes place ; those of Horsetails will germinate in a few hours. 

 Owing to its possession of chlorophyll the spore, if not placed 

 in a situation suitable for germination, perishes in the course of 

 a few days. 



The name of the genus is from the Latin, equus, a horse, 

 and seta, a bristle. The fertile stems appear in March and 

 April, the barren ones at intervals later. 



Lichens (Lichenes). Plate 126. 



The rambler will meet with specimens of the Lichen tribes 

 at every turn, when he has got fairly away from the smoke of 

 towns. He will find them on the tree-trunks or rocks and 



