SPECIAL MORPHOLOGY: MOSSES. 171) 



being converted into an epidermal layer. When Bischoff* maintained 

 that the term epidermis, used by Mohl, is inapplicable here, owing to its 

 being at variance with the morphological signification, I know not what 

 he can mean, since, as we have just shown, we know nothing about the 

 morphological signification of a sporocarp. On the other hand, the sim- 

 ple cellular structure of the nucleus renders it in the highest degree pro- 

 bable that it is only a simple organ, and that all the various regions 

 that appear in the sporocarp originate by internal separation (which is 

 partially of a purely mechanical nature), and are all parts produced from 

 one and the same mass of tissue, and from one and the same organ ; at all 

 events the idea of the capsule being formed from the growing together 

 of as many leaves as the peristoma shows dentations, as maintained by 

 many (Bischoff f among others), is a most perverted one. For, as has 

 already been remarked, the whole section of the nucleus (which, besides 

 the dentations, must also form the columella and the spores) has in its 

 early condition fewer cells than there are subsequently teeth ; and, how- 

 ever moderate we may be in our claims, we must demand at least one 

 cell for each leaf in its first deposition, setting aside that, as far as the 

 structure of the inner peristoma is concerned, the whole thing is devoid 

 of sense, and that the assertion must fall to the ground, being a mere 

 fiction. J 



C. In the development of the archegonium, the calyptra is torn 

 off at the base, and remains, for a longer or shorter period, thus 

 hanging to the sporocarp, by the expansion of which it is some- 

 times also laterally split. A small piece of the calyptra always 

 remains at the base, and this, in connection with the somewhat de- 

 veloped point of the stem, forms a small sheath (vaginula) around 

 the base of the sporocarp. In the nucleus we may distinguish, (a) 

 an upper, (5) a middlle, and (<?) a lower mass of cellular tissue, 

 which are variously developed at a to the seta, at b to the theca, 

 and at c to the operculum and peristoma. 



* Bischoff, Handbuch der Terminologie, p. 687, Bemerk. 33. 



t Bischoff, Handbuch der Botanik, vol. i. p. 430. 



\ That even such sensible men and excellent observers as Bischoff should give them- 

 selves up to this childish sporting with comparisons, must be wholly inconceivable to 

 those who have not studied the history of modern philosophy since Kant, and become 

 acquainted with the injurious influence exercised upon the development of our scientific 

 progress by the apparently intellectual sense, but actually mere shallow twaddle, which 

 Schelling gave forth as natural philosophy. (See the work of Fries, entitled 

 Ileinhold, Fichte, and Schelling, Leipzig, 1803.) A few hollow set phrases, endowed 

 with such an unmeaning power of generalisation that they were alike applicable to all 

 subjects, and garnished with the trivial comparisons of superficial wit, which is far more 

 common than scientific acuteness, sufficed to lull the great mass of those who would 

 willingly know, without having the trouble of learning, into the pleasant delusion that 

 they had actually seized science by the forelock. Even in science, unfortunately, num- 

 bers give strength ; and he who understands how to throw dust in people's eyes, will, at 

 least for a time, be regarded with consideration ; and he who may be hindered, by devo- 

 tion to one special branch of science, from working out the philosophical groundwork 

 for himself, will find it difficult, if not impossible, to remove himself from the general 

 intoxication of a philosophical mania of the day. Thus, uncommon minds have been 

 estranged from an earnest and strictly scientific research of nature, and, Buffering their 

 activity to be fettered by prevalent prejudices, have been lost to what is purely philo- 

 sophical and scientific, and wasted their best energies in the visionary dreams of an 

 unbridled fancy. 



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