FERTILISATION AND PROPAGATION. 



141 



while the latter were composed of five or six or more flask-shaped bodies, 

 each one larger than the bulbils aforesaid, and seated within an undoubted 

 indusium." 



In Fig. 10, A represents the pear-shaped, bulbil-like growths which 

 were previously referred to as flask-shaped bodies or excrescences attached 

 firmly to the frond by their thicker extremities, and seated within indusia in 

 every case ; these were observed in 1883. With a view to ascertaining their 

 reproductive capabilities, Mr. C. T. Druery undertook a series of experiments, 

 commencing by layering edgewise some of the pinna; in prepared pans, and 

 embedding them half-way into the soil, thus bringing the growth into immediate 

 contact with it. Then placing the pan in gentle heat, he had the satisfaction 

 of seeing these growths increase in size, and develop in such a way that the 

 said experiments culminated 

 in the production of young 

 plants of the same type as 

 the parent. These originated 

 from archegonia and anthe- 

 ridia eventually developed on 

 prothalli which themselves 

 had their origin on the points 

 of the pear-shaped pseudo- 

 bulbils. In the following year 

 (1884) Mr. Druery brought 

 before the notice of the Linnean Society pinna showing this singular mode of 

 fructification, which, owing partly, he believed, to a long, dry summer, and 

 partly to the fact that the parent plant was placed out of doors for a time, was 

 in an immature state, yet afforded ample evidence of abnormality. This is 

 represented at B, Fig. 10, where it will be noticed that, by lifting the indusium 

 of the pinnas, a number of curious, club-shaped, and occasionally serpentine, 

 cellular masses are partially disclosed, which, . though very different from the 

 swollen, pear-shaped bodies of the previous year (see A, Fig. 10), differ just as 

 widely from embryo sori. Later on Mr. Druery ascertained that Mr. Mapple- 

 beck had already observed the same phenomenon, and had raised plants from 

 similar bulbils, which appeared identical in position and character with those 

 of Asplenium, of which Athyrium forms a very important section. 



Fig. 10. Apospory — Abnormal Reproduction of Asplenium 

 Filix-fcemina Clarissima. 



A — Pyriform Pseudo-bulbils or Abnormal Sporoid Growths of 1883 (magnified). 

 B— «, a, a, Clavate Abnormal Sporoid Growths of 1884 ; b, b, Ragged 

 Indusium— magnified, 



