DIPLAZIUM. 



603 



In order to give greater semblance to my theory, it will be 

 necessary to shew that there is a general tendency in these 

 male organs to spring from the surface of the frond, opposite 

 to that which bears the fructification. 



Because in most frondose plants, it is so ; the males pro- 

 truding from the upper, the females from the under surfaces. 

 It cannot be expected always to hold good in Ferns, because 

 the male organs are superficial, while the females are often 

 immersed, this is opposed to what takes place in most Mar- 

 chantiaceae etc. in which, except in Anthoceros and Riccia, 

 the males are always superficial, but protected by a covering 

 derived from the frond. 



An objection will arise if these bodies do not generally 

 appear to dehisce : but this only in reference to Musci and 

 Hepaticae, and particularly Anthoceros. For the relation that 

 these bodies have to the male organs of Phaenogans, is that 

 of Anthers reduced to a single grain of pollen, and this single 

 grain reduced to a single coat. 



Are the anthers of the Musci and Hepaticae composed of 

 a single cell, or are they cellular, if they are cellular they 

 are analogous to ordinary antherae at an early period of 

 development ; if not, they are simple sacs anologus to 

 single grains of pollen. 



Is there any relation between the perfection of the male 

 and the perfection of the female. (For in Anthoceros in which 

 no female exists, the anthers are highly developed. A similar 

 proportion exists in Balanophora, it is visible also in Coniferas 

 in which the anthers and pollen grains are all maximum of 

 devolopment.) If there is, it may be an arguments against 

 my hypothesis. 



The stipes of this Fern is chiefly composed of cellular tissue, 

 which, towards the circumference is much more compact, pass- 

 ing into fibrous tissue suddenly enough. There are likewise 

 two other systems, arranged parallel to the shorter diameter 

 of the stipes, that towards the inner face of the stipes prolonged 

 into obliquely transverse lobes, the outer part of each of these, 



