MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 42 



Fig. 83. Section of a young Capsule of a Moss, showing 

 Columella fyc. (Funaria hygrometrica), x 50. 



Any quantity of the young green capsules of this Moss may 

 be collected for examination in the months of February and 

 March, as they then show the columella, seen in the centre 

 of the drawing of the young capsule. Around this columella 

 are clustered the spores when the capsule is mature ; at pre- 

 sent the spores are undeveloped. The best plan of mounting 

 this object is as follows : take a young capsule, plunge it into 

 a small quantity of liquid India-rubber, let it dry until a slice 

 can be taken, then slice with a fine scraper in the direction 

 from the seta to the operculum, wash in alcohol, and mount 

 in fluid or glycerine-jelly. 



Fig. 84. Dissections of a Moss, showing the Peristome, Oper- 

 culum, and Annulus (Funaria hygrometrica), x 20. 



These dissections, together with figs. 81, 82, 83, and 85, 

 comprise the chief parts of Mosses as named in a botanical 

 description of any species. The larger piece in the drawing 

 has 16 teeth and 16 cilia (not all visible), which compose 

 the two rows, and are both included under the title of the 

 peristome. The largest round piece is called the operculum, 

 or cap. This in all cases covers the peristome with its 

 delicate teeth, until the spores in the capsule are mature, 

 when it falls off, and in the act often loosens the annulus, 

 the small circle shown in the drawing. If the annulus is 

 not thrown off then, it soon follows the operculum, and no 

 doubt, by its elasticity, aids greatly in scattering the spores 

 around the parent moss ; the hygrometrical properties of 

 many of the setse of Mosses also assist the other organs in 

 this important provision for the increase of the species. 



The objects are best mounted in fluid. 



