42 
* 
True, Notes on the Physiology of tlie Sporopliyte etc. 
In an early growing stage, the yonng sporopliytes seem to 
reaot somewhat to gravity in a negative sense, tending to bend 
upward toward the perpendicular whether lighted from above 
or from below. 
In the course of the study of the sporopliyte, as above 
sketched, a number of interesting relations were observed per- 
taining especially to the calyptra. 
In Funaria, the calyptra is a more highly developed struc- 
ture than in Mnium and seems to perform so mnch more per- 
fectly the protective function whicli has been assumed for the 
calyptra. This appears reasonable wlien one beais in mmd tlie 
nature of the dangers incident to these two types of moss. Fu¬ 
rt aria grows on the ground in dry, exposed situations, m the 
full blaze of tlie direct sunlight and is exposed during the fort- 
nio-ht or tliree weeks required for tlie maturation of the spores 
to^tlie danger of desiccation. During the first week after the 
appearance of the growing archegonium among the perichaetial 
leaves, desiccation is ‘fatal to tlie young sporopliyte, and lt is 
only after the capsular rudiment has reaclied about one-half of 
its 'mature bulk that it is able to survive the degree of desicca¬ 
tion resulting from a few days of hot, dry weather. Hence, the 
season for sporopliyte formation falls in the moist season of the 
year when tlie* temperature is sufficiently high to allow rapid 
growth. ' ‘ _ . . 
The calyptra is an added factor of great ecological signm- 
cance for this moss. 
The archegonium after the fertilization of the egg. grows 
until a length of about 4,2 mm is reaclied. Separation from 
the gametophyte results at this stage, and measurements at sub- 
sequent stages showed that it makes no further grov th. It eon- 
sists of three distinct parts: (1) a long, slender, beak-like distal 
portion comprising, about onehalf of the total length whicli pas- 
ses by a somewhat abrupt expansion into (2) an enlarged sac- 
like portion whicli in the younger stages is traversed lengthwise 
by longitudinal folds. This sac contracts sharply at tlie ba^e of 
the calyptra into (3) a short, basal, collarlike portion v Inch cla^ps 
the seta very tightly. 
The calyptra is a loose bag, drawn together tightly at its 
mouth in whicli the entire dividing and growing regions of the 
young sporopliyte are enclosed. A oung, still erect, sporopliytes 
from whicli tlie calyptrae were removed with the greatest care 
rarely succeeded in developing into mature sporopliytes, even 
tliough giving no evidence of injury in the removal. It was not 
until the capsular rudiment liad reaclied about half its mature 
size that tlie removal of the calyptra failed to produce untoward 
effects on the sporopliytes. All this seems to point to the great 
importance of the protection afforded by the calyptra, from meclia- 
nical injnry as well as from undue desiccation. It seems pro¬ 
bable that" the removal of the calyptra at the later stages is less 
detrimental because of tlie increased cuticular development and 
