GENERAL REMARKS. 591 



The only really strong objection is, that the molecular 

 matter has been seen to grow, but this I doubt. 



The same question may be asked of the Pistillum, and be 

 similarly answered : but this organ whenever it exists, is too 

 palpable to be mistaken ; as it is not an essential organ we may 

 expect its complete disappearance in certain divisions of Acro- 

 gens, and perhaps Ferns etc. in which it is a subsequent 

 formation, and in which it is not furnished with stigma, 

 its invariable adjunct when the male influence is directly 

 applied to it. 



And it is a very curious fact, perhaps tending to assert the 

 greater permanence of the male organs, that in these tubes in 

 which, so far as we know, the fertilizing matter is not submitted 

 to those changes which it undergoes in Phaenogams, the 

 changes undergone by the sporula are precisely the same as the 

 changes undergone by the perfect forms of pollen. 



To those who require the proof of the existence of the com- 

 plex male organs of Phaenogams,or of a male organ of that form 

 with which they are alone familiar, I do not address these re- 

 marks, but to those who expect to meet with a lower degree 

 of organisation in the lower tribes of vegetables, in which 

 there is a tendency to reduction to the essential elements, and 

 who bear in mind the comparative structure of similar or- 

 gans in adjoining groups, I beg leave to suggest the intimate 

 study of the ramenta of Ferns. 



One very obvious consideration results from these enqui- 

 ries, which is, that the Frond of a Fern is a decided frond, 

 analogous strictly to the involucrum etc. of Marchantia 3 

 our attention is therefore directed at once to the Ramenta 

 as leaves, hence a reason for their universality, and a striking 

 proof is afforded that simple as these leaves are, the male organs 

 are as simple a modification of them. 



What additional affinities does this view disclose. What 

 curious argument for compensation ; no plant with axillary or- 

 gans has fronds : in Mosses therefore are well developed leaves 

 and no fronds, in Ferns etc. developed leaves, and largely de- 



