164 CRYPTOGAMOUS OR FLOWERLESS PLANTS. [SECTION 17. 



end of the stem. The analogue of the anther {Antheridinm) is a cellular 

 sac, which in bursting discharges innumerable delicate cells floating in a 

 mucilaginous Lquid; each of these bursts and sets free a vibratile self- 



631 631 eil 640 



moving thread. These threads, one or more, reach the orifice of the pistil- 

 shaped body, the Pistillidium, and act upon a particular cell at its base 

 within. This cell in its growth develops into the spore-case and its stalk 

 (when there is any), carrying on its summit the wall of the pistillidium, 

 which becomes the calyptra. 



501. Liverworts or Hepatic Mosses (Hepaticd) iu some kinds re- 

 semble true Mosses, having distinct stem and leaves, although their leaves 

 occasionally run together ; while in others there is no distinction of stem 

 and leaf, but the whole plant is a leaf-like body, which produces rootlets on 

 the lower face and its fructification on the upper. Those of the moss-like 

 kind (sometimes called Scale-Mosses) have their tender spore-cases splitting 

 into four valves ; and with their spores are intermixed some slender spiral 



Fig. 529. Mnium cuspidatum, smaller than nature. 530. Itfs calyptra, detached, 

 enlarged. 531. Its spore-case, with top of stalk, magnified, the lid (532) being 

 detached, the outer peristome appears. 533. Part of a cellular ring (aimulus) 

 which was under the lid, outside of the peristome, more magnified. 534. Some 

 of the outer and of the inner peristome (consisting of jointed teeth) much magni- 

 fied. 535. Antheridia and a pistillidium (the so-called flower) at end of a stem 

 of same plant, the leaves torn away ((J, antheridia, §, pistillidium), magnified. 

 536. A bursting antheridinm, and some of the accompanying jointed threads, 

 highly magnified. 537. Summit of an open spore-case of a Moss, which haa 

 a peristome of 16 pairs of teeth. 538. The double peristome of a Hypnum. 

 539-541. Spore-case, detached calyptra, and top of more enlarged apore-cas6 

 and detached lid, of fhyscomitrium pyriforme (Fig. 527) : Qrtfloe shows that there 

 la no peristome. 



