BKYOPHTTES 



301 



lar thallus body, not at all resembling the "moss plant" 

 of ordinary observation, and is not noticed by those una- 

 ware of its existence. 



Presently one or more buds appear on the sides of this 

 alga-like body (Fig. 275, b). A bud develops into an erect 



Fig. 275. Protonema of moss : A, very yotmg protonema, showing spore (S) which 

 has germinated it; B, older protonema, showing branching habit, remains of 

 spore (s), rhizoids (r), and buds (b) of leafy branches (gametophores). — After 

 Mullek and Thuegau. 



stalk upon which are numerous small leaves (Figs. 276, 290). 

 This leafy stalk is the "moss plant" of ordinary observa- 

 tion, and it will be noticed that it is simply an erect leafy 

 branch from the prostrate alga-like body. 



At the top of this leafy branch sex-organs appear, cor- 

 responding to the antheridia and oogonia of the Alga;, and 

 within them there are sperms and eggs. A sperm and egg 

 fuse and an oospore is formed at the summit of the leafy 

 branch. 



The oospore is not a resting spore, but germinates im- 

 mediately, forming a structure entirely unlike the moss 



