SPOROPHYTE 71 



leaves. The rhizoids, which resemble root hairs, increase in 

 length by apical growth, and they function as absorbing and 

 fixing tissue. The antheridium is stalked and clavate; the 

 male gametes are biciliated and can reach the archegonia 

 only in the presence of water. The archegonium is stalked, 

 and its structure is nearly similar to that in the hepatics. 



Sporophyte. The sporophyte is dependent upon the 

 gametophyte and is the temporary generation lasting only 

 until the spores are formed. The base of the sporophyte 

 has a well developed foot which acts as an organ of absorp- 

 tion, a seta or stem for elevating the sporangium or spore- 

 bearing part which is structurally differentiated into the 

 calyptra, operculum, epiphragm in some species, and peris- 

 tome. The tissues of the sporophyte are differentiated into 

 the spore-bearing, assimilating and mechanical tissues. 



