SYSTASIS. 



321 



when seta and its head are a little more than half the length 

 of the perianthium (now complete) preserves its original soft 

 texture and appearance, and in this respect is considerably 

 different from the remainder, which is of compact tissue, and 

 tinted greenish. Having described Osyrisand Psilotum before 

 and the developement of the sporules and elateres being well > 

 known, I have made no observation on them. At the period 

 represented in (PI. LXXV. A.) 1, 2, Fig. II. the cellular tis- 

 sue of the head of the seta is not separate, the walls of the 

 capsule are well developed, the substance consists of well 

 greened grume, in which a nucleary aggregation has com- 

 menced to be apparent, these aggregations have no distinct 

 membrane. 



The style is unchaged ; in this instance the brown which is 

 decided, reaches J way down, and the upper half of this was 

 constricted, and decidedly withered. The fibres of the central 

 fascicle are very fine and very closely packed : as soon as the 

 ovary swells, it becomes opacified by grume. I suppose the 

 prelude to the formation of more cellular tissue, so that its 

 internal structure, or contents, are not visible without dissec- 

 tion or the employment of pressure. 



The earliest state at which I have seen the young fecund- 

 ated pistillum is 8, Fig. II. In this there was no inner separ- 

 able body, but it is to be remembered, that this was not the 

 pistillum proper, which is 6. Fig, II. 



The fig. 8, had a style lacerated at the apex ; only one pistil 

 appears to be perfected. 



Systasis. PI. LXXV. A., Fig. II. 



1. Young fruit, perianth and involucrum. 



2. Long section of same : inovolucre removed ; its attach- 

 ment shewn at e., a. Perianth, b, Calyphtra, c. seta and young 

 capsule. 



3. Seta and young capsule, detached. 



4. Apex of seta. 



5. Female flower: and young perinth. 



t 2 



