PREPARATION OF TISSUES. 



361 



bog-moss, and in the elegant creeper Cobcea icandens. In 

 some orchidaceous plants the leaves are almost entirely 

 composed of it. A modification of this form of tissue is 

 found in the testa of some seeds, as in those of Salvia, 

 Oollomia grandiflora, &c. 



The curious and interesting sporules of ferns, when 

 ripe, burst, and are dispersed to a distance; so that they 

 should be gathered before they come to maturity, and 

 mounted as opaque objects. The development of ferns 

 may be observed by placing the seeds in moistened flannel, 

 and keeping them at a warm temperature. At first a 

 single cellule is produced, then a second ; after this the 

 first divides into two, and then others follow ; by which a 

 lateral increase takes place. 



Pollen-grains from most flowers are very intei'esting 

 objects; the darker kinds show best when mounted in 

 dark cells, and viewed as opaque ; objects more trans- 



Fig. 203. — Pollen grains and seeds. 



A, Seed c" Clove-pink, e, Poppy seed. c. Pollen of Passion flower (Pass-tflora 

 ccerulea). D, Pollen of Cobcea scandens. 



parent should be mounted in fluid, to show internal 

 structure. The prettiest and most delicate forms are found 

 in Amarantaceoe, Cucurbitaceoe, Malv • icece, and Passijlorece ; 

 others are furnished from the Convolvulus, Geranium, 

 Campanula, Hollyhock, and some other plants. The 

 curious peculiarities of a few are shown in fig. 203. 



