MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF HIGHER CRYPTOGAMIA. 



341 



they are formed, make their escape by a passage that opens for them at 

 the summit of the aiitheridium. The antheridia are generally surrounded 

 by a cluster of hair-like filaments, composed of cells joined together (Fig. 

 220, A), which are called paraphyses; these seem to be * sterile 5 or unde- 

 veloped antheridia. The ' archegonia 9 bear a general resemblance to 



those of Marchantia (Fig. 214); and the fertilization of their contained 

 ' oospheres ' or ' germ-cells ' is accomplished in the manner already de- 

 scribed. The fertilized ( embryo-cell ' becomes gradually developed by 



FIG. 221. 



Mouth of capsule of Funaria, showing the 

 Peristome in situ. 



Double Peristome of 

 Fontinalis antipyretica. 



cell-division into a conical body elevated upon a stalk; and this at length 

 tears across the walls of a flask-shaped archegonium by a circular fissure, 

 carrying the higher part upwards on its summit as a calyptra or ' V " W1 ' 



hood 



FIG. 223, 



TIG. 224. 



Double Peristome of Bryum 

 intermedium. 



Double Peristome of Cinclidium, 

 a rcticum. 



to form a kind of collar 



(Fig. 219, B, c), while the lower part remains 

 round the base of the stalk. 



337. The TJrn or < spore-capsule/ which is thus the immediate product 

 of the generative act, is closed at its summit by an operculum or lid (Fig. 

 219, B, o, o), which falls off when the contents of the capsule are mature, 

 so as to give them free exit; and the mouth thus laid open is surrounded 

 by a beautiful toothed fringe, which is turned theperistome. The fringe, 

 as seen in its original undisturbed position (Fig. 221), is a beautiful ob- 



