1884-1885.] 373 ■ 



been withered and killed by the scorching heat of summer, the 

 root hairs still retain their vitality, and with the return of 

 autumn moisture begin to develop new plants, just as if nothing 

 extraordinary had happened. But in Marchantia, besides the 

 spores, there is yet another mode of increase. Tiny, green- 

 fringed baskets are developed on the surface of the fronds. In 

 these leaf-hairs spring up, and gradually develop into round 

 flat gemmae or buds, which are packed in rows in the baskets 

 like bakers' cakes ; when ripe they fall out and give rise to 

 new plants. An account was then given of the foliose section^ 

 containing most of the scale mosses, so called because they have 

 no true leaves, but only scales or bracts. The loveliest of all 

 these, Pleurozia cochlear if orme^ of a brilliant rosy purple, 

 grows near Hilltown, and was illustrated by a coloured diagram. 

 Another diagram illustrated the structure of the flowers, which 

 are minute bud-like bodies at the ends of the stem or branches, 

 and would escape the notice of a casual observer. The sporan- 

 gium, or vessel which contains the spores, is extremely inte- 

 resting. This may be seen by placing one under the microscope 

 and applying a drop of water. Immediately it bursts with 

 violence, and the spores are expelled in a brown cloud ; and 

 this is effected by the aid of a number of little coiled-up springs, 

 which have been lying hidden in the vessel biding their time. It 

 then presents a wonderful sight, and is all in motion, like a 

 basket of eels. The same mechanical principle of the watch- 

 spring has been employed by the Great Machinist to protect 

 the little vorticellas from danger — a beautiful family of infusoria 

 which may be found in any fresh-water pond. Have we not in 

 these " elaters" a striking instance of design ? We have traced 

 their gradual development, and seen how the tiny spirals were 

 formed by the gradual thickening of portions of the inner walls 

 of the cells ; but we cannot believe that they developed them- 

 selves. Although some scientists are beginning to talk of the 

 sagacity and morality of little bits of protoplasm, we cannot 

 believe that the complicated plan of this wonderful fruit vessel 

 was formed in the brain of that little cell. Nay, there must 

 have been a mind behind it. It could not have first laid down 



