260 



SPOROPHYTE OF MARCHANTIA 



elongate, rupture the archegonium and push the capsule beyond 

 the curtains of the perianth and involucre, so that it is exposed 

 to the air (Fig. 195). The capsule now ruptures, exposing the 

 spores and elaters to the air. The elaters, a word meaning lift- 



FIG. 194. Structure of the nearly mature sporophyte : A, continuation 

 of the growth in Fig. 193, C, showing the formation of a foot, f, stalk, and 

 capsules, c, which contain elongated dark cells, the elaters, and the spores. 

 The archegonium has been ruptured by the elongation of the stalk and is 

 not shown in the figure, p, perianth. B, enlargement of the base of A, 

 showing the attachment of the foot (indicated by darker lines) to the 

 tissues of the antheridial stalk. C, an elater and spores. 



FIG. 195. Archegonial branch with mature sporophytes : A, branch with 

 the dark capsules of several sporophytes projecting beyond the curtains 

 of the involucre. B, diagram of a branch as seen in section. On the right 

 one of the capsules of a sporophyte ruptured, exposing the elaters and 

 spores. On the left the curtain-like involucre only is shown. 



