MOSS. SPOROPHORE. 11 



archegonium may often be recognised at its extreme 

 apex. 



The calyptra of Funaria may be treated in a similar 

 way : here the brown neck of the archegonium is clearly 

 seen, while the body of the calyptra consists of a 

 continuous tissue, a single layer of cells in thickness. 



XIII. It will be found convenient to take first the 

 capsule of one of the simpler Mosses, e.g. Funaria, 

 and subsequently to proceed to a more complicated 

 example, e.g. Polytrichum. 



After noting the oval form, and the obliquely placed 

 operculum, embed capsules of Funaria, which have 

 been hardened in alcohol, in paraffin : and cut median 

 longitudinal sections : mount in glycerine or in glycerine 

 jelly, and examine first with a low power. 



N.B. It will be well to select young capsules of such age that 

 the peristome (seen through the operculum) shall show a pale 

 yellow tinge : later it assumes a dark yellow or orange colour, and 

 in such cases the spores would be almost mature : the structure 

 of the whole capsule would accordingly be more difficult to 

 understand than in the younger specimens. 



Observe 



1. The seta, which widens out gradually into 



2. The theca or capsule, without any clearly 

 marked basal swelling, or apophysis : at the apex of 

 the theca observe that the section has traversed 



3. The operculum or dome-like lid : beneath this 

 is 



4. The yellow or orange peristome : in the lower 

 part of the capsule note 



5. The outer wall consisting of a clearly marked 

 epidermis, and beneath it some three or four layers of 

 thin-walled parenchyma. 



