46 BRITISH MOSSES. 



Plate I. 



Inflorescence of Mosses. 



The parts of the flowers (or inflorescence) of mosses are as follows. We 

 have added to them the names of the apparently corresponding parts of what are 

 commonly called " flowers." 



Fig. 1. Male. 



(a) . Antheridia — anthers 1 , 



• stamens. 



(b) . Paraphyses — filaments J 



The Antheridia are composed of cells, each containing a Spermatozoid — -pollen. 

 Antheridia and paraphyses are surrounded by the Perigonium — petals. 



Fig. 2. Female. 

 («) . Archegonia — summit "] . 

 (b) . Paraphyses — style J 

 From the centre of the Archegonia to the base is a canal, terminating in a Vesicle 



— germen. 



The whole is surrounded by leaves, forming the Perichaetium — calyx. 

 As the Vesicle contained in it enlarges, the Archegonia bursts. 

 Its upper portion becomes the Calyptra. 

 Its lower the Vaginula. 



From the vaginula rises the Seta, at first like a green thread ; but its upper part 

 gradually enlarges into the Capsule, whose parts we have already 

 explained. 



The functions of these various parts, and their relation to one another, are at 

 present involved in mystery. Many mosses bear both the male and the female 

 flowers on the same receptacle. They are then termed synoicous. Others bear 

 them on different parts of the same plant; these are called monoicous. Others 

 again have the different flowers on distinct plants. These are clioicous. The 

 position of the male and female flowers in many cases determines the species of 

 the moss. The mouth of the Capsule is surrounded by the Peristome, which con- 

 tains the Spores. 



