BRVOPHYTES 



301 



lar thallus body, not at iill 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 



Fi(i. 275. Protoiioma of niops : j4, very yonng protonema. showing ppore (-9) which 

 hay germinated it; By older protorienia, eliowin^i T)riinching habit, remainn of 

 epore (s), rhizoids (r), and buds (b) of leafy branches (gamctophorcH),— After 

 Mui.LER and Thurgau. 



stalk upon which are numerous small leaves (Figs. 270, 200). 

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

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

 branch from the jirostrate alga-like body. 



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

 responding to the antheridia and oogonia of the Algaj, and 

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

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

 branch. 



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

 mediately, forming a structure entirely unlike the moss 



