MICROSCOPE IN THE COUNTRY. 57 



present two forms ; one showing the leaves and 

 green parts of the fruit ; the other, the leaves 

 changed into reproductive organs. These may be 

 very easily examined as opaque objects under the 

 Microscope. The spores are seated on round shield- 

 like disks, represented in plate 4, at figure 116, a. 

 When the spores are examined by a higher power, 

 they present four spiral filaments, which are twisted 

 round the body of the spore, and seen at b. If the 

 spore is breathed upon whilst under the Microscope, 

 the spiral filaments gradually relax their grasp, and 

 they become expanded and attached to the spore 

 only at one end, as represented at c. The cuticles 

 of the Equisetums are strongly siliceous, and are 

 very curious and interesting objects, and will repay 

 the trouble taken in preparing them. This may 

 be done by boiling a piece of the stem, in nitric 

 acid and chlorate of potash, and, after washing the 

 detached cuticle, transferring it to absolute alcohol, 

 from thence to oil of cloves, and afterwards 

 mounting in Canada balsam. 



The study of the flowerless plants is one of 

 never-ceasing interest. Within the last few yeare 

 much has been done by the aid of the Microscope 

 to clear away the mystery which surrounded the 

 functions performed by certain organs they possess. 

 Much more, however, remains to be done ; and an 

 interesting field is still open to the inquiries of the 

 microscopist. We will now, however, take our 

 Microscope to the pond-side, where we shall still 

 find many plants to interest us, belonging to the 

 lower, or flowerless groups together with animals, 

 the companions of their aqaatic life, and the repre- 

 sentatives of their simpler mode of existence. 



