APOSPORY IN FERNS. 
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circination or resemblance to fronds was visible; added to 
which, the presence of an indusium, in the place of the scales 
common to true bulbils, led to the assumption that they 
were abnormal sporoid growths, and not proliferous ones, likely 
to produce plants by direct bud-growth. 
To test their capabilities I laid down, on Nov. 27, in a 
duly prepared seed-pan, numerous pinnae, which I embedded 
edgewise, halfway in the soil, the growths being thus brought 
into immediate contact with it, lying as they did along the 
rhachides of the pinnae. I then placed the pan in slight 
heat, with the result that the pseudo-bulbils immediately 
began to increase in size, and to develop in such a fashion 
that on Dec. 24 I was able to record an evident foliaceous 
extension and division of the tips of the pseudo-bulbils, and 
the appearance of numerous long, rigid, glassy-looking rods 
or hairs, which sprang from their bases. These rods bore a 
strong resemblance to the root-hairs common to the under- 
sides of prothalli ; but their decided upward growth, radiating 
stiffly, seemed opposed to this view, as also the fact that 
they sprang from the bases and sides of the pseudo-bulbils. 
It is probable, however, that they acted as aerial roots, for 
the growth of the tips of the pseudo-bulbils proceeded rapidly, 
until, on Feb. 10 of the present year, I recorded that they 
had assumed a decided prothalloid form, while the upright 
rods had either become deflected or absorbed. Eventually, 
all the tips of the flask-shaped bulbils assumed the form 
of perfect prothalli of the usual size and shape, the pseudo- 
bulbils themselves being absorbed and disappearing, and the 
usual root-hairs developing under the prothalli. On March 17 
several of these prothalli were examined microscopically, both 
by myself and by the Rev. Mr. Aubrey, of Salisbury (to 
whom I am indebted for aid in observing the flnal stages of 
growth), and well-developed archegonia were found in the 
usual place and number, but so far neither of us was able 
to detect antheridia. Early in May, however, I succeeded in 
finding a single antheridium; and it is manifest that many 
others must have been present on the prothalli not examined, 
as on May 21 the final stage was reached, small fronds 
