GENERAL REMARKS. 



587 



which presents a considerable development of the mule organs, 

 but no evidence of a pre-existing punctum for the application 

 of their influence, with a high degree of organisation of the 

 products, or reproductive organs. This latter part of their 

 structure may explain perhaps the apparent contradiction in 

 what I just stated of Ferns, that the degree of inferiority of 

 the males, was in accordance with their want of a pistillum. 

 It will be a curious confirmation of this, if the Ferns which 

 have most complicated reproductive organs, (setting aside any 

 greater degree of relationship to Anthoceros etc.) have the 

 most highly developed stamina. 



In Mosses, in which the pistillum is so evidently organised 

 on the general plan of that of Phaenogamous plants, the 

 steps are obvious. They include a distinct sphacelation of 

 the style, and stigma, with even a tendency to the disorgani- 

 sation of this, followed by the enlargement of the body of 

 the pistillum, either consequent upon the growth of a pre-ex- 

 isting cell, or upon the formation of a cavity, to allow of the 

 growth of this cell, which is unquestionably the first thing 

 formed, and which same cell forms subsequently the termina- 

 tion of the seta. What is important to bear in mind is, that the 

 essential reproductive organs, the sporules, are of such late ap- 

 pearance that they would almost seem unconnected with the 

 obvious processes attending the pistillum. Not only are they 

 very remote with regard to the first appearance of sphacela- 

 tion, but what is more to the point, they are considerably re- 

 mote from the time when the bulging out of the incipient theca 

 interrupts the close communication which its apex has hitherto 

 had with the apex of the cavity of the pistillum, or as it may 

 be, calyptra : to which apex the sphacelation is in the cases 

 examined by me, obviously extended. 



I must however observe that this question of remoteness 

 may only be remoteness of effect, we know nothing of the time 

 required. 



For the first changes involve the formation of a cavity in 

 the young capsule, then the appearance or fashioning out of 



