32 



The Germination of Fern Spores. 



THE GERMINATION OF FERN SPORES. 



BY THE EEV. F. HOWLETT, M.A., F.R.A.S. 

 Fiq. 1. 200 Diam. Fig. 2. 200 Diam. 



400 Diam. 



400 Diam. 



[•FlG. 1. Portion of prothallium of Mlix-mas. A, Antheridial cells ; B, Arche- 

 gonia ; C, Sort of paraphysical filament ; D, Ordinary cellular tissue, but granules 

 of chlorophyll are omitted. . 



Fig-. 2. Portion of prothallium of Lastraa recurva, with group of hexagonal 

 lantern-like archegonia. 



Fig. 3. Antherozoids of Mlix-mas in various positions whilst swimming. 



Fig-. 4. Portion of margin of prothallium of Osmunda regalis. A, Immature 

 antheridial cell with imperfect antherozoids ; A',' \ A full-grown but empty cell ; 

 showing the way in which the antherozoids (E) lie spirally curled up in the 

 water, upon first emerging from it. 



To any one possessing a fairly good microscope, and who is 

 desirons of witnessing some of the most curious and beautiful 

 phenomena that are to he found, perhaps, within the whole 

 range of natural history, a method shall be described in this 

 paper whereby a rich fund of interesting botanical research 

 may be provided for the ensuing spring and summer, within 

 wonderfully limited territories, and at a very trifling expense. 



It is true, a little trouble and care are requisite in the in- 

 vestigation, but, to an intelligent lover of nature's microscopic 

 wonders, the results will be well worth the pains bestowed 

 upon it. 



Our subject is the germination and development of the 

 spores (or seeds, as they are sometimes though not quite cor- 

 rectly termed) of different species of those elegant cryptogams, 

 the Ferns. A paper on the same subject appeared in the 



