^90 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



sporule which exists only towards its apex. This again is ano* 

 ther remarkable, through casual analogy which these organs 

 bear to pollen. A far more remarkable one exists in the fact, 

 which will probably be found general, that the sporula consist 

 of two membranes : The outer one is in some exceedingly 

 destinct, forming the "tunica" of authors, and in such, it is 

 compound, in others it is of difficult demonstration, owing to 

 its adhesion with the inner membrane, and in such cases it 

 appears to be simple or granular. 



With regard to the much mooted question as to the occur- 

 rence of fecundation (by means of anthers) in this family, I 

 have no direct evidence in favour of it to offer. Still for reasons 

 so obvious that it is almost unnecessary to advert to them, I do 

 not doubt that such does take place. The difference in the 

 steps of the process between such plants and Phaenogamae, I 

 have mentioned in the remarks prefixed to the Muscologia Iti- 

 neris Assamici. As presumptive evidences, 1 would lay particu- 

 lar stress on the existence of distinct gemmae in most, and per- 

 haps in all, — on the fact that the anthers are generally enclosed 

 in sacs from which they cannot escape, — on their dehiscence, — 

 on their composition which is totally unlike that of gemmae, 

 — on their contents, which are similar to the fovilla, — on 

 means for its escape exteriorly, — on the correspondence of 

 the development of the anthers with that of the pistilla, 

 which although not absolutely ascertained in all, is so con- 

 spicuous in some, as to leave little doubt that it always 

 occurs, and on the invariable sphacelation of the styles. 



And lastly on the fact that in Anthoceros, in which the de- 

 velopement of the sporula is gradual, there is a corresponding 

 gradual developement of the male organs, and on the pecu- 

 liar means which are had recourse to, in order to ensure the 

 requisite communication by means which are obviously neces- 

 sary, from the peculiar organisation of this genus, to which I 

 shall allude more fully under the genus itself. 



Misapplication of terms, or at any rate, their most incon- 

 sistent application, has been carried to a great extent in this 



