IN ACROGENS. 



447 



those I have described as existing about the points of growth, are 

 exactly the same as the processes mixed with the anthers of mosses, 

 and of which the anthers are nothing but more developed growths ; 

 this would point out, as indeed appears to me otherwise evident, 

 (especially from consideration of the theca, and its want of style,) 

 that ferns are lower organised as sexual beings than mosses and 

 Hepaticte. I know nothing of Lycopodinese, more than they are the 

 highest of all acrogens ; and are not to be included in the same 

 category with ferns. 



The objection to the ramenta being anthers, will be the closed 

 nature (apparently) of the terminal cell, and although the anthers of 

 mosses do burst, and most especially those of Hepaticse, yet the 

 argument is not conclusive — inasmuch as loyaux, to which they are 

 analogous do not open ? 



These ramenta explain fully the nature of those confervoid organs 

 found in some Neckerse, and perhaps in other mosses, and it be- 

 comes paramount to prove whether these Neckerse have also the 

 usual anthers, or if they are confined to these, in which case a pre- 

 sumptive proof will thus be afforded of their functions : if they have 

 both forms, they will nevertheless constitute an analogous passage 

 between the two orders : if they have only these, such Neckerse will 

 form, as indeed they do, a very distinct genus. 



The nature of the barren fronds requires distinct analysis. Are they 

 barren from mere deficiency in supplies, such as may result from 

 many circumstances ; or are the antheriform ramenta deficient ? They 

 are barren from defective growth. I am aware how readily objection 

 may be taken to these views, some will say these young ramenta are 

 nothing but young scales as the older ones evidently are scales ; but 

 this amounts to nothing, because we may expect simplicity in the 

 sexual organs of this division, and it will be only a proof of the uni- 

 formity of nature in making so great a difference in a function depend 

 on, or be associated with so small a one in form. My view I think 

 explains their uniformly brown colour — analogous to Brown's sphace- 

 lation in mutatis mutandis. 



Others will say how absurd the idea is, when you cannot show the 

 place to which the impregnating influence is to be applied. But the 

 consideration of mosses does away with this objection partly, and 

 that of Anthoceros, entirely ; because in mosses, the ovule, or pre- 

 existing cell, ready to receive the male influence becomes an empty 

 cell, terminating the seta ; and the sporula become developed at its 



