MOSSES 37 



are two kinds, namely, (1) the fertilising organ 

 (antheridium), and (2) the fruit-bearing organ 

 (archegoniuni). Let us make a closer acquaint- 

 ance with each, taking first 



The Fertilising Organ (antheridium), the func- 

 tion of which is to provide that wonderful 

 fertilising matter, hy the aid of which the 

 fruit is formed, and in the absence of which no 

 fruit is ever produced. Plate III. fig. 7 is a 

 highly magnified drawing of a group of these 

 bodies, taken from the Common Hair-moss 

 (Polytrichum commune), a denizen, as we have 

 already learned, of our heaths and commons. 

 They are almost always somewhat sausage- or 

 cucumber-shaped, as in my illustration, and are 

 accompanied by numerous very delicate thread- 

 like bodies known as paraphyses, which some- 

 times, as in this instance, are swollen or thickened 

 at the end, giving them a distinctly club-like form. 



Botanists were for long puzzled as to what 

 use these delicate threads could be to the plant, 

 for their constant presence seemed to imply that 

 they served some useful purpose, Nature not 

 being given to wasting her energies in the pro- 

 duction of parts to which no function is allotted. 

 It is now believed that at least one duty which 

 they perform is to help to retain moisture round 

 the reproductive organs, a very important matter, 

 owing to the fact that, Avithout the presence of 

 water, fertilisation cannot take place. 



5SQ70 



