]0 FRUCTIFICATION OF THE CRYPTOGAM!^. 



finding it. They are so delicate, that the smallest touch 

 breaks them. I do not however deny, that the,re may be 

 some gymnostoma thus unsupplied ; nature possesses so 

 much variety of form, but then it is not generally shown in 

 these points: there is a strict conformity in all that con- 

 cerns the fructification of plants, that teaches us to expect a 

 change less in these matters than in any other parts. Be- 

 sides, they might be bent or broken. I think I have dis- 

 sected the g. viridissiro,um, and if it was the plant (and it 

 concurred in every other point) it has a very narrow rim of, 

 snflected teeth, which grew dark as the powder ripened. 

 • The polytrichum commune is very curiously formed at the 

 bottom of the capsule; the manner in which the spiral is, 

 laced displays a mechanism most wonderful ; if it was pos» 

 ■ sible to understand the whole management. 



The Filices. 



Fructification The general structure of the fructification of the fern% is* 

 eftbctems. ^ f n ows . The scale or calyx is not often found. It 

 springs out of the leaf, opening on one side, and is different 

 from the cover. The wood vessel and line of life, forming 

 together, run up to each set of flowers, which are dispersed 

 in parallel lines oblique to the midrib, commonly in one 

 row on each side of it, but sometimes the row is double. 

 Under the cover, usually supported on little" foot stalks, are 

 the flowers, encompassed by an elastic ring, which is really 

 the male part of the plant. When the seeds are ripe, the 

 impregnating cord springs and moves with every change of 

 temperature, till it has shaken out all the powder to be 

 found in it. The capsules then burst, the seeds disperse 

 from the force of the confined membrane within the seed 

 vessel, which, having the, seeds fastened to it, and being 

 coiled np in amanner adverse to its form, (as the spiral wire 

 within it grows stronger) it struggles to get free, which it 

 does at last by bursting the capsule, and throwing off the 

 seeds to a distance ; in the same manner as it does in the 

 spirting cucumber, and in many other plants of that kind. 

 That the elastic line that covers the apparent basket is really 

 the male part of the plant, is easily proved. Let any one 

 jitnce the cyathea fragilis under a strong magnifier about 



the 



