219 



CRYPTOGAMIA. 



jEtheogamia. 

 59. FILICES. 



Stems present, either creeping below or upon the sur- 

 face of the ground like a rhizoma, or rising above it 

 and appearing like the stems of trees. Fronds or leaf- 

 like expansions, simple or compound, or more or less 

 divided, with a dichotomously reticulated system of 

 venation ; circinate in vernation. Stomata present. 

 Reproductive organs placed in masses called sori, upon 

 the dorsal surfaces of the fronds or upon their margins. 

 Sori of various shapes, covered in many cases by a 

 cellular envelope or indusium, which dehisces. Masses 

 of sori composed of numerous cases or thecte, each 

 thecae provided with an elastic ring or annulus, or desti- 

 tute of it, aud form either a single cavity, or are di- 

 vided into several compartments. Reproducing germs 

 or sporules contained within the thecse. 



(According to Presl, the male organs or anthers are 

 lenticular, oval or globose stipitate bodies filled with an 

 opaque substance, and appearing in the sori amongst the 

 congregated thecse, but are only to be seen when 

 in a very young condition. After the bursting of these 

 bodies, the opaque matter being ejected, they collapse 

 and dry). 



