dad OPHIOGLOSSALES 
as a storage-body. The leaves are inclined mght and left of the median 
line in acropetal succession, one as a rule but sometimes more rising 
above ground in each season. The leaf shows a similar stipular structure 
to that seen in others of the family: upwards it consists of a stout petiole, 
with a large lamina usually ternate, each of the divisions being again 
subdivided. From their point of junction rises the fertile spike, which is 
adaxial as in other Ophioglossaceae. But the chief distinctive point is in 
the structure of it; for numerous sporangiophores each bearing several 
sporangia are disposed in dense serried ranks right and left—that is, in 
positions corresponding to the rows of sporangia in Opfzoglossum (Figs. 
244 and 83). 
Helminthostachys seylanica, Hook. Rhizome. Natural size. /=flap; R=root; 
Le=leaf; P=petiole; LS=leaf scar. (After Farmer and Freeman.) 
The spike of He/mznthostachys not uncommonly shows irregular accessory 
branchings, such as those seen on Figs. 239 L, M. These may be combined 
as in Botrychium with correlative vegetative growth where sporangia are 
absent (Fig. 239 N), while the details of these show in a beautiful manner 
becomes elongated as an internode: the initial cell is gradually overarched by upgrowth 
of the surrounding tissue, while by its sunken position it remains in close relation to the 
vascular system of the rhizome. The single cell meanwhile divides into a cell-group, and 
may continue to grow, forming a leafy bud. Bruchmann compares this bud-formation 
with that of lateral buds in many Ferns. The comparison may also be made with the 
lateral buds of Zyzdse/um : the deeply sunken position compares not only with these, but 
more particularly with that seen in the tuber of Phy/oglossum; in fact, the sunken 
character in the Ophioglossaceae has probably, as in these plants also, been assumed in 
relation to the underground habit. 
