48 



Within a cluster of leaves at the tip of a moss-stem there was 

 an organ (arckegonium) somewhat similar to the pistil in some 

 flowering plants. It consisted of a swollen portion near the 

 base, surmounted by a long cylindrical body, perforated 

 throughout by a narrow canal, which, when it reached the 

 swollen portion, enlarged into an oval cavity. The tadpole- 

 like bodies, which are distinguished by the name of anthero- 

 zoids, find their way in at the upper end of this canal, and so 

 into the oval cavity, where, by mingling with the contents 

 {oosphere), they fertilise them. As the result of this process 

 the oosphere (which is henceforth known as the oospore) 

 assumes a spindle-shape, and increases in size. In time it 

 develops a stalk from its lower end, and the growth of this 

 tears away the upper walls of the archegonium-cavity, which 

 ultimately become the calyptra. The oospore enlarges under 

 the calyptra, and its interior becomes filled with the minute 

 dust-like spores, which form around a central pillar — the 

 columella. 



As the capsule ripens, the upper portion becomes par- 

 tially separated from it, and assumes the form of a lid to the 

 vessel. We have seen that this lid {operculum), following the 

 calyptra, is cast off when the spores are ripe, and the circle 

 of teeth {peristome) then commences its work of distributing 

 the spores. 



" The time necessary for the formation of the capsule 

 varies greatly in the different species, but is usually very long 

 in comparison with the small size of the body concerned. 

 The Pottieae blossom in summer, and ripen their spores in the 

 winter ; the Funarieae are perennially in blossom, and have 

 constantly sporogonia in all stages of development, each 

 occupying for its completion probably two to three months. 

 Phascum cuspidatum develops in the autumn, and ripens its 

 spores in a few weeks before the winter. The bog Hypna, on 

 the other hand, blossom in August and September, and ripen 

 their spores in July of the next year ; they often require ten 

 months for the development of their capsules. Hypnum 

 cupressiforme bears in autumn, at the same time, sexual 

 organs and ripe spores, and hence requires one year. The 



