PKACTICAL BOTANY. 



may be seen, in active movement : it may be seen to 

 escape ultimately, owing to mucilaginous swelling of 

 the wall of the mother-cell, as a free antherozoid of 

 spiral form, having two cilia. 



Antheridia may be obtained on Funaria hygrometrica at almost 

 any period of the year : they are borne on special branches as in 

 Polytrichum, but are surrounded by a less conspicuous peri- 

 gonium : these axes are usually shorter than those which bear 

 the female organs. 



IX. Take a sod of Funaria 1 with no sporogonia as 

 yet visible upon it, but which bears antheridia : these 

 will be situated at the apices of the shorter axes : many 

 of the longer axes will appear to be terminated by 

 ordinary vegetative leaves, and it is on these axes that 

 the archegonia may be found. 



From such buds, after hardening in alcohol, cut 

 median longitudinal sections : if not transparent enough 

 treat with dilute potash solution, and mount in weak 

 glycerine : subsequently the sections may be transferred 

 to glycerine jelly. Examine first with a low power, 

 when the usual arrangement of axis and leaves may be 

 observed ; between the youngest leaves an archegonium 

 (or several) may sometimes be detected. If mature, it 

 will be seen to be a flask-shaped organ, seated on a 

 short massive stalk : it consists of 



1. An elongated neck, more or less contorted, com- 



1 Since Funaria hygrometrica produces sporogonia at all times of 

 year, and is very 'common, while Polytrichum commune is reproduced 

 sexually only in the spring and early summer, it will be convenient in 

 most cases to use the former in examining the archegonia. In either 

 case, however, it is a matter of some experience and expenditure of 

 time to get a good series of preparations illustrating the development 

 and structure of the archegonium, and the early stages of the produc- 

 tion of the sporogonium. 



