SPHAGNUM 357 



It will also be found possible, by culture of detached leaves 

 and portions of the stem of the Moss-plant on moist soil, and 

 under other favourable conditions, to induce a formation of 

 protonemal filaments by direct outgrowth of cells of those parts. 



Observations should also be made on the rhizoids, and pro- 

 tone ma of various Moss-plants, by removing them from the soil, 

 and washing them gently with water and mounting in water : 

 examination will show the brown underground rhizoids, with 

 oblique septa and no chlorophyll : these may rise to the surface 

 of the soil, and develop as a branched, green protonema : or such 

 protonemal filaments may spring from superficial cells of the 

 stem or leaves. 



SPHAGNUM (The Bog-Moss) 



XVIII. Take a plant of any native species of Sphagnum, and 

 observe with the naked eye, or with a pocket lens 



1. The brown stem on which are inserted 



2. Leaves of simple form. 



3. The lateral branches, with fasciculate branches of higher 

 order, which in their turn bear leaves : these branches assume 

 two distinct forms 



. Stronger branches, of larger size, which have their apices 

 directed upwards. 



6. Weaker branches, which are deflexed, and are usually found 

 in close apposition to the main axis. 



N.B. Owing to the main axis being thus closely covered by the 

 weaker deflexed branches, the leaves borne by the main axis may 

 escape observation : to prevent this, the branches should be 

 entirely removed, and the leaves will then be easily seen in their 

 normal position : it may further be noted on observing the leaves 

 carefully that the lateral branches are not axillary, but are in- 

 serted alongside of a leaf, and that a fascicle of branches is 

 associated thus with every fourth leaf of the main axis. 



Nothing comparable to the protonema of other Mosses is to be 

 found in Sphagnum, except under certain conditions of germina- 

 tion of the spore. 



