3 1 6 Sampson . — The Morphology of 
growth of Phyllogl os sum with the embryonic form of Lycopodium ccrnuum , 
noting a resemblance between the tuber of the former, and the ‘ proto- 
corm ’ of the latter . 1 His conception of Phylloglossum as ‘a permanently 
embryonic form of Lycopod ’ received wide acceptance . 2 
Wernham, drawing an analogy between the tuber of Phylloglossum and 
the droppers of certain Monocotyledonous plants, suggested that like these 
it is partly foliar and partly axial. His investigation, however, was limited 
to two specimens . 3 
The morphology of the annual tuber of Phylloglossum is, then, an open 
question. Moreover, such solutions of the problem as have been put 
forward are hypothetical, and based on analogy rather than on a strict 
examination of anatomical structure. Since ‘ the question of the position 
of Phylloglossum chiefly turns upon the view we take of its annual tuber and 
its protophylls / 4 it is of exceptional importance that its morphology be 
understood. When, therefore, by the kindness of Professor Benson a quan- 
tity of material was placed at my disposal, I decided to discover if a 
re-investigation of its anatomy might not throw light on the problem 
of its morphology. The result of this work is set forth in the present 
paper. 
II. Macroscopic Structure. 
The general features of a fertile plant of I^hylloglossum, at a stage 
previous to spore-dispersal, may be seen from Fig. i. This figure was 
drawn from a specimen about i-|" high, bearing above the level of the ground 
five long tapering leaves, and a smooth cylindrical axis (p) terminating 
in a compact strobilus (s) ; while unbranched, horizontally running roots (r) 
and two tuberous bodies are buried in the substratum. The shorter and more 
slender tuber, t, belongs to the growth of the present year, the other ; T, dates 
from the previous season. The former, at the age figured, appears as 
a smooth exogenous outgrowth about f long, and slightly swollen at the 
free end, in which may be seen the outline of an enclosed bud, b. The 
tuber is an organ of perennation ; it is set free at the end of the season by 
the decay of other parts of the plant, and after a period of rest germinates, 
the activities of the enclosed bud producing roots, leaves, frequently a cone, 
and always another tuber. These organs constitute the yearly growth of 
the plant. All that remains of the growth of the previous season is the torn 
sheath, sk, of the old tuber. 
The general structure of Phylloglossum will be clearer, if reference 
be made here to the research of Professor Bower on the germination of 
1 Treub : Ann. Jard. Buit., vol. 8, 1889-90. 
2 For Bower’s more recent views, see Presidential Address to Section K (Botany), British Associa- 
tion, Australia, 1914. 
3 Wernham : Ann. of Bot., vol. xxiv, 1912, p. 335. 
4 Bower : loc. cit., 1914, p. 6. 
