SPECIAL MORPHOLOGY : MOSSES. 



185 



and the whole central cell is finally filled with a close and very 

 thin-walled cellular tissue. In each cell a spiral fibre of two or 

 three coils is then developed. On their complete development the 

 spiral fibres lie free in their cell, and manifest under water a rapid 

 motion round their axes, which the free spiral fibres retain for a 

 time after the destruction of the cell, and thus move onward in the 

 water. In plants of the previous year we still find this organ, dried 

 and shrivelled together, and, as it appears, deprived of its contents 

 by an orifice in its upper part. 



By way of illustration I give here the antheridia of Funaria hygro- 

 metrica (fig. 137 6, and 138.). With the exception of a few unim- 



137 



138 



portant particulars, what is now given is all that we know of this organ, 

 from which has originated so much confusion of ideas in science. Thus 

 much appears fully certain, that neither in the history of their develop- 

 ment, nor in their structure, nor in their physiological relation, do they 

 show the most remote analogy with the anthers* of the Phanerogamia, 

 and, consequently , & ,that the application of this designation, together with 

 all the visionary matter (the pretended theories) based upon it, are al- 

 together devoid of all foundation, and therefore do not belong to science. 

 So far as I know, no observer has as yet spoken of the central cell, which 



* Although it is in the highest degree erroneous to name these and similar structures 

 in the Liverworts anthers, yet, as they merit some peculiar designation, I retain this 

 expression, however inappropriate it may be, which has already been so generally used, 

 in order not to add to the confused nonsense that already characterises our terminology. 

 I would expressly remark here, as I have done elsewhere, that the etymology has no 

 influence whatever upon the determination of an idea, this being solely effected, in 

 regard to a technical expression, by a scientific definition. A technical term is merely 

 a sign easily conveyed by speech and in writing, which would have no sense were it not 

 interpreted according to the definition applied to it in this one particular science. The 

 best terms are always those whose etymological signification stands in no relation to the 



187 Funaria hygrometrica : two young plants. a, With the sporocarp unfolding 

 (still enclosed by the calyptra (c), and very young (6) ), bearing antheridia. 



188 A long section through a so-called male plant of Funaria hygrometrica (b of the 

 fig. 137.). A, On the apex of the stem are the antheridia (C), surrounded by para- 

 physes (It). 



