244 On Azolla and Salvinia. 



assumed to be the male organs : one found on the stalks of 

 the ovula, the second on the capsules, the third on the roots. 



Of these the second kind (PI. 16. f. 7.) appeared precisely 

 like the moniliform filaments of Azolla, but was only observ- 

 ed once, and on a somewhat advanced capsule. The se- 

 cond kind was observed constantly and in plenty. They vary 

 somewhat, some, the male organs of Hedwig, ( Theor. Gen. 

 etfruct. Plant. Crypt, p. 105, t. 8,f. 2, S.J having rather long 

 joints containing granules ; others nearest the ovulum (PI. 15. 

 f. 7.) having shorter joints, each containing a nucleus immer- 

 sed in a brownish fluid. Those on the roots, are also constant 

 and in plenty : they resemble those on the stalk of the ovu- 

 lum, figured by Hedwig. The granular contents are first de- 

 veloped in the terminal cell, and thence downwards ; each joint 

 becoming at length quite crammed with granules, some of 

 which are often of a large size. They then lose more or less of 

 their previously very active motion. These radicular filaments 

 have the same reference to those containing granules found 

 on the stalk of the ovulum, that the radicles themselves have 

 to the brown hairs of the same part and the capsule. 



But it is from the assumed action of those containing 

 a nucleus and brown matter, that the appearance of the 

 matter found adhering to the previously clean foramen, 

 (and which looks like the fecundating matter of Musci and 

 Hepaticae) will be perhaps best explained. 



I should not, however, omit remarking that in such sub- 

 merged parts of a plant, as these of Salvinia, deceptions might 

 arise from the adhesion of foreign matter to a greater degree 

 than would be likely to occur in many Musci and Hepaticae. 



In Azolla the chief difficulty I think is presented by the 

 absence of such a developed form of anther as might be 

 exacted to accompany so developed a form of pollen grain.* 



* In order to reduce the usual acotyledonous form of anther to the type of the 

 same organ among phanerogams, I have often speculated on the probability of each 

 anther being a pollen grain. But they have an organic connection with the plants to 



