MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF HIGHER CRYPTOGAMIA. 



339 



structure, is commonly found on the setce or bristle-like footstalks bear- 

 ing the fructification and sometimes on the midribs of the leaves. The 

 root-fibres of Mosses, like those of Marchantia, consist of long tubular 

 cells of extreme transparence, within which the protoplasm may frequenly 

 be seen to circulate, as in the elongated cells of Chara ; and according to 

 Dr. Hicks, 1 it is not uncommon for portions of the protoplasmic substance 

 to pass into an amoeboid condition resembling that of the gonidia of 

 Volvox ( 24:2). The protoplasm first detaches itself from contact with 

 the cell-wall, and collects itself into ovoid masses of various sizes ; these 

 gradually change their color to red or reddish-brown, subsequently, how- 

 ever, becoming almost colorless; and they protrude and retract processes, 



Fis^is 



Elator and Spores 

 of Marchantia. 



Structure of Mosses : A, Plant of Funaria hygrometrica, 

 showing / the leaves, u the urns supported upon the setae or 

 footstalks s. closed by the operculum o, and covered by the 

 calyptra c; B, Urns of Encalyptra vulgar is, one of them 

 closed and covered with the calyptra; the other open; u, u f 

 the urns; o, o, the opercula; c, calyptra; p, peristome; s, s+ 

 setae: c, longitudinal section of very young urn of Splachnum* 

 a, solid tissue forming the lower part of the capsule ; c, colu- 

 mella; I, loculus or space around it for the development of the 

 spores : e, epidermic layer of cell, thickened at the top to form 

 the opercufum o; , two intermediate layers, from which the 

 peristome will be formed; s, inner layer 'of cells forming the 

 wall of the loculus. 



exactly after the manner of Amc&bm, occasionally elongating themselves 

 into an almost linear form, and travelling up and down in the interior of 

 the tubular cells. This kind of movement was observed by Dr. Hicks 

 to subside gradually, the masses of protoplasm then returning to their 

 ovoid form; but their exterior subsequently became invested with minute 

 cilia, by which they were kept in constant agitation within their contain- 

 ing cells. As to their subsequent history, we are at present entirely in 

 the dark ; and the verification and extension of Dr. Hicks's observations 

 constitute an object well worthy of the attention of Microscopists. 



" Quart. Journ. Microsc. Science/' N.S., Vol. ii. (1862), p. 96. 



