CHARACTERISTICS OF SPORE-PLANTS 213 
and whether or no they branch. Make a habit sketch to show all that 
you can of the general appearance of the plant. With the h.p. note 
the exact form and mode of connection of the cells of which the fila- 
ments are composed, and the size and shape of the chlorophyll bodies. 
In the group to which Cladophora belongs these are often band-shaped, 
star-shaped, or tabular and comparatively large. Make a careful draw- 
ing to show these points. Plants of this group are more complex than 
Pleurococcus ; but their nutrition is not of a higher character. 
267. Examination of a Moss-Plant. — Study any convenient leafy 
moss-plant (best in a fresh condition) with the magnifying glass. 
Note the root-like fibers, the stem, and leaves. How are the leaves 
arranged? Examine a leaf in water with m.p. and note. whether it 
consists of one or more layers of cells. Describe the chlorophyll 
bodies. Examine the stem for woody fibers. State several respects 
in which the moss-plant seems more highly organized than any of 
the spore-plants discussed in Sects. 264-266. Its leaves are well 
adapted for photosynthesis. 
268. Examination of a Fern.1— Note the division of the fern into 
underground portion (rootstock and roots) and aérial portion (leaves, 
with or without astem). Describe the leaves and note how their vein- 
ing differs from that of seed-plants. Look-.on the under surface of 
the leaves for spore-bearing regions, usually brown in color (Fig. 204). 
If any are found, describe exactly their location. Strip off a bit of 
the lower epidermis of a leaf, mount, and examine it with m.p. for 
stomata. Look for woody fibers in the stem. The fern is nearly 
as well equipped for photosynthesis and for transmission of water 
through the stem as are most seed-plants. 
269. Summary. — The student has made a hasty exam- 
ination of five types of spore-plants not including the 
very lowest nor the very highest. Discussion of. their 
modes of reproduction has purposely been omitted, as the 
object of these simple studies has been merely to obtain 
some idea of the shape and structure of a few spore-plants 
in their vegetative condition. 
1 Any kind of terrestrial fern except the genus chosen for study in Sects. 
362-364, 
