SPECIAL MORPHOLOGY: GYMNOSPOR^E. 165 



a way that the cell, expanding into a longer or shorter tube, 

 protrudes one extremity at a definite place from the spore-mem- 

 brane ; from this extremity the new plant is gradually developed 

 by the formation of new cells, whilst the other end decays and 

 dies with the membrane of the spore. 



On examining the conditions, unbiassed by any previously conceived 

 opinions, we shall perceive that there can be no more striking analogy 

 than the one presented between the germination of the spores of the 

 Cryptogamic stem-plants, and the behaviour of the pollen-granules of the 

 Phanerogamia upon the stigma, even as the history of the development of 

 the spores and the pollen -granules, no less than their structure, are almost 

 wholly identical. It seems to me, that nothing but a mere cleaving to 

 acquired prejudices, and not a simple observation of nature, could lead to 

 the discovery of an analogy between the sporocarp and the phanerogamic 

 fruit, or between spores and seeds. I can readily believe that it may be 

 difficult to people grown old in such opinions to renounce them, and 

 arrange all their preconceived knowledge in accordance with these newer 

 views, especially where they are not themselves the founders of the new 

 truth ; and I have not, therefore, flattered myself with the hope of meet- 

 ing with a speedy recognition of the truth of my theory of the propa- 

 gation of the Phanerogamia. These prejudices will, however, in part 

 vanish when the matter is exhibited in its entire connection ; for even if 

 my views were not based upon direct observation, but were a mere 

 hypothesis, it must be admitted that it was well devised, since it removes 

 the enigmatical separation between Cryptogamia and Phanerogamia, 

 and at a point where a higher unity is first to be expected, and ex- 

 plains the most widely differing facts from one natural law instead of 

 from two. This simplification of the grounds of explanation is, however, 

 one of the most important methodic claims of a sound natural philoso- 

 phy. It will be sufficient here cursorily to point out the general re- 

 sults; their special development must be deferred till we treat of the 

 individual groups. 



94. The main morphological distinction of the Gymnospora 

 and the Angiospora is found in the formation of an axis (stem, 

 caulis Auct.), and leaves (folia), of which the latter, for the most 

 part, dying off and formed anew, contain the actual vital paren- 

 chyma, the former only an essential elongated cellular mass, con- 

 necting the leaves and contributing to their nutrition ; while (with 

 the exception of the still imperfectly investigated Mosses and 

 Liverworts) the leaves are exclusively the agents of the formation 

 of the propagating cells, the spores and the pollen-granules. 



Although an examination of the difference between leaf and stem in 

 this group of plants will justify us in considering it as very marked when 

 compared with accidentally similar forms in the preceding orders, for 

 instance in Sargassum, it is still extremely difficult, if not impossible, 

 to base the distinction upon morphological grounds ; we must, therefore, 

 do the best we can, and not even disregard physiological indications, 

 such as will be adverted to in the course of the paragraphs. The cause 

 of this is evidently owing to our not possessing any morphological 

 history of development of i\\e Aganifr, and, consequently, no sound basis, 



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