CHAP, xxxill SPORE REPRODUCTION 127 



II. Selecting a leaf upon which the sori are growing, 

 remove a few sori and examine them under the lens of the 

 dissecting microscope. Notice : 



1 . The small stalked bodies, sporangia or spore cases, most 



of them split open at one side. 



2. The very small brown bodies scattered about, which are 



the spores. 



(These points will show much more plainly under 

 a compound microscope. Simply place the sporan- 

 gia, spores, etc., upon a glass slide, moisten with 

 strong alcohol, add a drop of water, and cover with 

 a cover glass.) 



III. Examining the fruiting plants of some Moss such as 

 the Hair-Cap Moss (Poly trie hum) or Funaria, notice : 



1. The rooting portion. 



2. The stem with 



3. Its leaves. 



4. The capsule upon its stalk or pedicel. 



5. Make a sketch of the Moss Plant. 



IV. Examine the capsule more carefully with the aid of 

 the lens and notice : 



1. The calyptra (hairy in Polytrichum but smooth, thin, and 



hyaline in most Mosses). Remove it and examine 



2. The operculum, a small cap, which may be picked or 



pried off, and then appears 



3. The peristome, a row of teeth about the mouth of the 



capsule proper. 



4. Make sketches of these various parts. 



Take a thoroughly dry capsule and, removing, if 

 necessary, the calyptra and operculum, tear open the 



