48 A LABORATORY MANUAL OF BOTANY 
Open a capsule and observe the number of spores. Do 
all these probably develop new moss plants? 
Ferns.—In brownish patches, usually on the under side 
of fern leaves, will sometimes be found groups of spore-cases 
(sporangia) in which the spores are formed. Select a leaflet 
on which there are groups of sporangia, examine with the 
hand lens, and sketch. 
Remove and mount some sporangia. Note the general 
form and where the spores are borne. Note especially the 
peculiar row or ring of cells running over the back of the 
sporangium. 
Remove the cover-slip, allow the sporangia to become 
dry as you observe them with the low-power magnification, 
and determine just how the spores are discharged. What 
is the function of the ring of heavy-walled cells? Is there 
a definite breaking place for the spore-case? Are spores 
discharged as the case opens or as it closes? How far do 
you think spores are thrown in this way? 
Examine various fern leaves to see where sporangia are 
borne and how they are grouped. See whether the sporangia 
in all are similar in structure to those already studied. 
These spores, when they germinate, do not produce di- 
rectly the thing we usually call the fern plant, but produce 
instead a very small, flat, green body, from which the up- 
tight fern plant finally grows. 
Sow some fern spores on damp earth and keep covered, 
so that moisture and temperature may be kept constant. 
Place in a shaded part of the room. After some weeks the 
flat body will be seen, and from these after a time the leafy 
plant may be seen to grow. 
