430 



SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



most perfect forms of this Class ultimately rises out on a stalk-like process 

 from the vaginule (fig. 500, r), and becomes a sporoyonium filled with 

 spores (pp. 431, 433). 



Fig. 499. 



Germination of the spores of a Moss (Funaria hygromefrica) : c, spore sprouting ; d, more 

 advanced, and the first cell divided ; a and b, nascent leaf-buds on the confervoid proto- 

 nema. Magn. 200 diam. 



The mode of development of the spores, which are simple cells with a 

 double coat, or a proper cell-membrane covered by a distinct cuticular 

 layer, is briefly as follows : In the cellular rudiment of the capsule con- 

 centric layers of the parenchyma become differently metamorphosed : the 

 outer layers from the walls of the capsule and the sporangial membrane 

 below, continuous with the peristome (p. 431) above j the central mass 

 (in Mosses) is developed into the columella; the intermediate layers, 

 which produce the spores, after multiplying to a certain extent, form free 

 cells from the whole contents of each cell ; the walls of the original or 

 parent cells dissolve, and a cavity is formed, in which the free cells 

 (parent cells of the spores) lie loose. These cells become divided into 

 four chambers by septa ; and each of these chambers (special parent cells 

 of the spores) produces a single free cell from its whole contents. The 

 last-formed cells, set free by the solution of their mother cells, are the 

 spore-cells, which when ripe are found coated with a cuticular layer, 

 often more or less marked with points or reticulations, like polleu- 

 grains. 



In the subsequent history, another kind of propagation takes place. 

 When the spores germinate, they produce a confervoid structure (pro- 

 tonema, fig. 499), from different cells of which are produced a number of 



