38 
CHOICE BRITISH FERNS. 
characters from one kind of which (antheridia, Fig. 3) issue, 
in due course, numerous minute organisms (antherozoids. 
Fig. 4), somewhat resembling microscopic tadpoles, which swim 
Fig. 3.— Young Antheridium (Male Organ), much magnified— c, Central Cell, 
filled with Antherozoids. 
Fig. 4.— Antherozoid, much^magnified. 
0 
Fig. 5.— Longitudinal Section of Mature Archegonium (Female Organ), 
much magnified— 0 , Ovum. 
about actively in the moisture around them, and finally fer- 
tilise by contact the other kind of organs (archegonia. 
Fig. 5, and a, Fig. 2), which possess a germ-bud or ovum (o) ; 
