CRYPTOGAMS 
343 
axes, or of lateral branches (Figs. 485, 486), but as a rule 
only one archegonium is fertilized, so the mature sporo- 
in Fig. 485; and in 
the latter case, the 
reproductive organs 
may be borne on the 
same, or on different, 
receptacles. The 
antheridia and the 
Fig. 485. — Fruiting recep- archegonia are both 
tacle of a moss (Phascum cus- mixed with club- 
pidatum), bearing both anther- shaned hairs called 
idia, an, and archegonia, ar, at ‘4 
the bifurcated apex ; b, leaves; paraphyses (Fig. 
p, paraphyses. 48 5) ; 
399. The sporophyte. — An examination 
of the fruiting capsule of any of the true 
mosses will show that it consists of a long 
footstalk, the seta, s, Fig. 486, bearing a 
capsule, or ripened sporogonium, f, which 
is at first surmounted by a cap or hood, 
known as the calyptra,c. The hood repre- 
sents the excessively developed and often 
highly specialized wall of the archegonium. 
It falls away at maturity, and the spores are 
discharged through an opening made by the 
removal of the operculum, or lid, d. The 
spores and the capsule are both developed 
from the fertilized egg (odspore), within the 
archegonium, in much the same manner as in 
the liverworts, and together constitute the 
sporophyte, or asexual generation. It never 
leads a completely independent existence, 
gonia are solitary. The plants may 
be either dicecious or moncecious, as 
Fia. 486. — Fruit- 
ing stem of a moss 
(Polytrichum com= 
mune) with ripe cap- 
sules: s, seta, or foot- 
stall ; c, capsule with 
calyptra; f, capsule 
after the calyptra has 
fallen away ; d, oper- 
culum, or lid. 
but remains a 
partial parasite on the mother plant, though the lower part 
of the young sporogonium is usually provided with stomata 
