BRYOPHYTES. 



59 



on a common seta situated within a single calyptra, 

 which seems to point to origin from one archegonium. 

 This was in Sphagnum contortum. 



Gyorrfy observed in Plagiobryum demismm two 

 capsules on one seta ; both arose from a common 

 " neck " at the apex of the latter. He cites Bruch's 

 observation of two setse of Polytrickum alpimim occur- 

 ring within the same calyptra. He concludes that the 

 phenomenon is due to abnormal development of the 

 same ovum and not to fusion of two adjacent arche- 

 gonia. He also observed in Dicrarium Blytii that the 

 seta was forked into two unequally-long arms, each 



Fig. 16. — a. Bryum csespiticiwn. b. Brachythecium plumosum. Double 

 capsules. (After Schimper.) 



bearing a normal capsule. Balle saw the same thing 

 in Pogonatum, in which one arm was larger than the 

 other. 



Gottsche observed two to three capsules on a 

 common stalk. 



Gyorrfy observed in Buxbaumia viridis two sporo- 

 gonia springing from the same vaginula, quite distinct 

 from each other ; one of them was shorter, and bore a 

 rudimentary, sporeless, transparent capsule (PI. IV, 

 fig. 7). 



Monk emeyer observed in Bry um argenteum all stages 

 of forking of the capsule ; it is interesting to note 

 that in this case he was able to trace the pheno- 

 menon to insect-bites at the apex during the young 

 stage of the capsule (PI. IV, fig. 8). 



