2 
Vaizey . — On the Sporophyte 
matter, I found that Splachnum luteum , Splachnum rubrum , 
and some few other forms were the most likely to yield the 
best results ; I determined, therefore, to obtain material for 
investigating their morphology. These forms being arctic or 
subarctic, I put myself in communication with Professor Axel 
Blytt, of Christiania, to find out if he could either procure me 
material properly preserved for the purpose, or put me in the 
way of obtaining material if I went myself to Norway. From 
my correspondence with Professor Blytt, I concluded that the 
only really practicable course was to go myself, and obtain 
my own material in the different stages in which I required it. 
To carry out this project, I applied for, and was granted, 
assistance by the Royal Society. I, therefore, now tender to 
the Society a brief outline of the first of my results. 
I obtained after considerable search, in which I was fortu- 
nate in having the invaluable assistance of Professor Blytt 
and Dr. F. C. Kiaer, whose knowledge of the habitats of 
Norwegian Mosses is notorious, a large quantity of Sp. luteum 
in many different stages of development ; of Sp. rubrum I 
only obtained one specimen ; but beyond the mere difference 
of colour there is little or no difference between the two 
species. The material was obtained in the marshy land on 
the top of the watershed between the River Glommen and 
Lake Miosen, and on the south-eastern side of the Dovrefjeld 
region. 
In the sporophyte of Splcichmim luteum we have a structure 
with a remarkable similarity fo an umbrella, the handle-end 
of which is inserted in the tissues of the oophyte, and is known 
as the foot (Fig. i). The seta is much elongated, frequently 
attaining a length of 150 mm. : it bears the umbrella-like 
expansion, the apophysis, at the top just below the sporangium. 
It is the structure of the apophysis and certain of the organs 
of the sporophyte with which we are now concerned. 
A transverse section through the vaginula, including the 
foot of the sporophyte, shows that the tissues of the oophyte 
in this part contain a considerable quantity of organic sub- 
