PILULARIA. 
241 
The fructifications consist of small globular spore-cases, 
attached by a very short stalk to the stem at the points 
whence the leaves and roots proceed, being in fact seated 
at the base, or in the axils of the leaves. They are densely 
covered externally with pale-brown jointed hairs, and are 
about the size of a small pea or pepper-corn. These spore- 
cases are four-celled, and when mature, split into quarters, 
the four parts remaining attached to the footstalk by their 
base. The spores are attached to the interior of these 
valves along their centre, forming four lines; the lower 
part of the spore-case being occupied by the large spores, 
which are of a greyish colour, and have a roundish-oblong 
form, with a contraction in the middle, and a terminal 
nipple-like point, and the upper part being occupied by 
the small spores, which are oblong pale-yellow bodies, 
resembling pollen ; both are contained in transparent 
membranous bags. The larger bodies are probably to be 
considered as the perfect spores, while the smaller ones are 
merely abortive spores ; at least this is the most reasonable 
explanation which has been offered. There is, indeed, no 
doubt of the larger bodies being spores, since they have 
been caused to germinate by different persons. 
The Pillwort is widely distributed throughout the United 
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