142 The Nardoo Plant 



exterior side, a more solid line consisting of long, narrow 

 cells, forming a sort of midrib. To this are attached, at the 

 inner side, the sporangia equally on short stalks. The 

 indusium of the sori consists of a single stratum of large, 

 tubular, thin- walled cells. The cells of the vermicular cord 

 are ovate-roundish. The sporangia, as well of the large as 

 the small spores, consist of utricles, formed by a simple, 

 extremely tender, cellular stratum. After protrusion, the 

 micro-sporangia are seen densely arranged around the much 

 longer macrosporangia and cover the latter partially. The 

 yellow microspores, visible through the transparent indusium, 

 give to the utricles (sporangia) a spawn-like appearance. 

 The microsporangia appear at first white. In the closed 

 dry fruit, the sori are placed transversely from the back to 

 the ventral margin, in alternate horizontal layers. These 

 conditions agree thus far in general with the statements of 

 the investigators quoted. Bischoff (die Cryptogamen-Ge- 

 waechse 63) regarded the sori in their horizontal super- 

 position as fruit cells. 



All around the suture of the fruit is placed a torulose ring, 

 which consists, in a dry state, of horny, cellular tissue, 

 stronger developed on the dorsal than on the ventral side of 

 the fruit. To this ring the sporangia-utricles are attached 

 as well with their stalks as with their apex. This ring, as 

 soon as brought in contact with water, absorbs it with 

 avidity, enlarges visibly in all directions, and. expands into 

 the gelatinous cord, thereby seceding all around from the 

 valves of the fruit. 



In repeating this experiment with another fruit placed in 

 tepid water, the above process was exhibited in still greater 

 completeness. 



The fruit had been lying for a week without alteration in 

 cold water. It was now like the other, slightly carved at 

 the ventral suture. Already a quarter of an hour after- 

 wards the valves opened on the ventral side and the anterior 

 half of the gallert-cord protruded, drawing with it the 

 adherent summits of the sori. After the anterior half ring 

 emanated, the water gained easier access to the posterior 

 part of the fruit, and the stronger half of the placental cord 

 placed there began to bend forward with great velocity from 

 both sides. 



In the meanwhile the sori were unable to follow the ring 

 whilst it rounded itself and widened, and then they broke 

 one after the other at the weaker place of junction, namely 



