Ophioglossum pendulum (L.), &c. 



40 C J 



Hill, in Perak, I found it scantily on stems of tree-ferns, the rhizome 

 growing among the roots of the fern, which cover the stem. No 

 young plants were found ; but a single prothallus, embedded among the 

 roots of the fern in close proximity to a plant of Psilotum, was 

 obtained. This prothallus, as will be evident from fig. 3 and the 

 description below, could only belong to Psilotum, or be that of some 

 species of Lycopodium, the gametophyte of which has not been de- 

 scribed. From the position in which it was found, the former suppo- 

 sition is the more probable one, but such evidence of association is of 

 course not conclusive, and the specimen can only be described as the 

 prothallus of Psilotum vrith the reservation expressed above. 



The prothallus when fresh measured about one-quarter of an inch in 

 length by about three-sixteenths of an inch at the widest part, which, 

 as fig. 3 shows, is above. The lower portion is cylindrical and rounded 

 below. To one side near the lower end is a well-marked conical pro- 

 jection directed obliquely downwards, which clearly corresponds to 

 the primary tubercle of the prothallus of Lycopodium cernunm. The 

 surface of the lower three-fourths of the prothallus was brown and 

 bore rhizoids. The latter were absent from the upper part, which 

 widens out suddenly, the increase in width being due to the projection 

 of the thick, coarsely lobed margin of the summit of the prothallus. 

 The central region of the summit is smooth and somewhat depressed. 

 The upper portion of the prothallus had a faint green tint when fresh, 

 but no chlorophyll grains could be detected. 



In the tissue of the overhanging margin the numerous sunken 

 antheridia occur, closely crowded together. Archegonia have not been 

 observed on external examination. 



In its form this prothallus evidently presents resemblances to pro- 

 thalli of Lycopodium. In the lower part it resembles the prothalli of 

 the Lycopodium cernuum type, while the appearance of the upper 

 portion suggests a comparison with prothalli of L. clavatum or X. anno- 

 tinum. There seems no reason to doubt that the meristem will be 

 found at the junction of the upper and lower regions. 



Probably this prothallus was completely embedded among the roots 

 of the fern. As some of the roots had been removed before the 

 prothallus was noticed, this point was not definitely settled ; but the 

 general appearance of the upper portion, and the absence of assimi- 

 lating lobes, makes it probable that the upper surface was not exposed 

 to the light. 



That the facts stated above bear on the relationship of the plants to 

 which these prothalli belong will be obvious from the brief description 

 given. The discussion of this will, however, be best deferred until the 

 full account, which is in course of preparation, is completed. 



VOL. LXVIH. 



