ASPIDIUM SPOROPHYTE 



291 



IV. Confirm these observations by the dissection of 

 the part of the stock macerated in dilute hydrochloric 

 acid. The parenchyma, being thus rendered soft and 

 friable, may be easily removed, leaving the vascular 

 system as a network of stronger bundles, which gives 

 off numerous weaker bundles from the margins of its 

 meshes : these weaker bundles run out into the leaves. 



FIG. 12. Vascular skeleton prepared by maceration and dissection from the 

 stem of Asphllnm Filix-maa. (After Reinke.) (2 : 1.) 



By careful dissection a skeleton may be prepared 

 similar to that shown in Fig. 12. 



Though the above is the general type of bundle-arrangement 

 for Ferns with ascending or upright stems, in Ferns with creeping 

 stems other modes of arrangement are found, which, however 

 may be regarded as being related to the type above described. 



U 2 



