MARSILEA. 



503 



The developement of these bodies corresponds to that of 

 similar bodies of the higher Cryptogamic orders with two ex- 

 ceptions, viz the corresponding developement and separation 

 of the tunic formed from the formative mass, which in 

 other cases subsequently disappears, and the commence- 

 ment of the separation of the parent cfell in the centre, and 

 not in the circumference. Inversions of two ordinary phe- 

 nomena thus occur. These bodies are, reasoning from their 

 developement, beyond all doubt the proper reproductive or- 

 gans. 



To the formation of the male I know of no analogy, not 

 having yet (1837) examined Azolla and Salvinia with the usual 

 from of anther as this organ occurs in Cryptogamia. Taking 

 into consideration the reproductive organ of Chara, I imagine 

 Ui em not to be male organs, but more analogous to gemmae, 

 and hence in one point of view, reproductive organs. And the 

 idea that they are a merely casual mode of reproduction similar 

 to gemmae is strengthened, I think, by the fact of their very 

 frequent abortion. Their structure I am unable to explain, 

 but I conjecture from partial appearances, that one cell in the 

 mass they contain, assumes a preponderating growth, and 

 that this cell produces subsequently in its interior, amylaceous 

 granules. Of the origin of the second envelope I cannot give 

 any explanation. 



It must not be forgotten that botanists appear to have been 

 mistaken in imagining the necessity for impregnation in 

 all Cryptogamic classes. In all of these in which a style is 

 formed — in which there is a stigmatic communication ob- 

 viously analogous to that of other Phanerogamous plants — 

 in which there is a pre-existent cell, which has to be operated 

 upon, that it may receive the necessary influence — I believe 

 that impregnation does exist, and in all these we have obvious 

 anthers. The grand difference is, that in these, impregnation 

 is limited to the production of the organs from which the 

 sporules are subsequently formed. This idea is suggested by 

 the special provision made in Anthoceros. 



