546 MARSILEACEiE. 



early period, and apparently so rapidly, that for some time 

 I was almost reduced to consider the trifacial cells, as parent 

 cells, each containing 3 spores in a state of extreme con- 

 tiguity. In no instance did I observe the parent cell of the 

 central sac, (subsequently the yellow sac,) or its companions. 

 And although I have examined many instances, yet in none 

 did I find the usual relations continued, that might have been 

 expected as long as the trifacial cells remained imbedded in 

 grume. So much so, that for a second time I was almost re- 

 duced to look on them as parent cells. 



The great development of a particular spore of a particular 

 capsule, and the corresponding abortion of all the rest, is a 

 second peculiarity. This, which has not been observed in 

 Musci, Hepaticae, or Filices, occurs in a marked degree in 

 Marsilea* and Pilularia ;f and there is also a tendency to it, 



* A second examination of marsilea has not presented to me any thing 

 corroborative of M. Fabre's statement. So far as the development of 

 the two difform bodies {capsules) themselves is concerned, there is mani- 

 fest agreement with Pilularia, Salvinia, and Ajzolla. The germinating 

 body is equally derived from the excessive development of a single spore 

 of one capsule, and the abortion of the rest. The other capsules contain 

 spores in a state of uniform development, forming the supposed pollen of 

 some Botanists, 



Marsilea evidently appears to connect Salvinidee with Filices ; its im- 

 portant difference from Salvinidae consist in the capsules, which corres- 

 pond to the secondary capsules of that family, being developed within 

 the substance of a modified leaf, in their occurring mixed with each other, 

 and in the spores of the pedicellate capsules not becoming imbedded in 

 apparently cellular masses. I have not observed anything indicating fe- 

 cundation. 



t Mr. Valentine, (Linn. Trans, loc. cit.) appears to have no doubt 

 of this in Pilularia. M. Endlicher* think it may be so in Salvinia, and 

 makes it part of his generic character of Pilularia and Marsilea, (op. cit. 

 p. 68,) at least so far as the term sporangia abortiva may be -considered 

 to indicate abortive spores. 



But I think their great comparative number, at least the equal deve- 

 lopment of their capsules in Salvinia and Azolla, their appearance, and 



* Gen. Pit p. 67, in annot, in Salvinia, 



