ASPIDIUM SPOROPHYTE 289 



leaves, either at the base of the leaf (Aspidium Filix-mas), or in 

 various positions on the flattened upper part of the leaf (many 

 species of Asplenium). 



II. Anatomical Characters to be observed with the 

 naked eye. 



II. Having observed the above external characters, 

 remove the roots, keeping the transparent apices of the 

 young roots, as well as the thickest parts of the old 

 roots : these should be preserved in alcohol for further 

 treatment. 



Starting from the older end of the stock, cut off 

 successively the persistent bases of the old leaves about 

 half an inch above their insertion on the stem. Ob- 

 serve the lateral bud borne by some of the leaves on the 

 ab-axial side of the leaf-stalk near its base : observe 

 also that the roots spring from the bases of the leaves, 

 close to their insertion on the stem. 



Cut off about 2 inches of the older end of the 

 stem exposed as above, and boil it in dilute hydrochloric 

 acid till the parenchyma is soft : for further treatment 

 of this see below. Meanwhile smooth the cut end of 

 the remainder of the stock with a razor, so that it 

 may present an even surface of transverse section, and 

 observe 



a. The great irregularity of outline, due to the close 

 crowding of the bases of the leaves. 



b. The dark brown band of sclerenchyma bordering 

 the periphery of the section. 



c. The great bulk of the stem consisting of yellowish 

 parenchyma, with very bulky central pith. 



