The microscope : and its application to vegetable anatomy and physiology / by Dr. Hermann Schacht ; edited by Frederick Currey, M. A.

Hermann Schacht

Date:: 1855

Credit: The microscope : and its application to vegetable anatomy and physiology / by Dr. Hermann Schacht ; edited by Frederick Currey, M. A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

154/230 (page 130)

$weeks, the .spores generally begin to germinate; the first indica- tion of which is a green ])ai‘enchymatous expansion. Ptei'is serrulata gei’ini nates very ea.sily. Some S])ores should then be token \ip and rinsed with water. The antheridia in the younger specimens are very beautifid. When the germ has assumed a leaf-like form, transvei’se sections must be made with the section instrument: this is ini])ortant when it is wished to observe the genu-organ and its developement; the germ-organ is closed at first, and afterwards opens. Accurate observations as to the oiigin of the })rimajy cell within this germ-organ, and of tlie relation between the germ-organ and the spiral filaments or antherozoids would be of the highest importance to science. In examining the spiral filaments, it is important to obsei've their developement, their mode of escape from the antheridia, the number of their coils, the manner in which they are covered with cilia, the nature of their movements, and the manner in which they are afiected by chemical agent.s. The spores of liverworts generally germinate very easily in white moist sand under a glass. The genus Pellia germinates in a few days. Those spores which have a tough cuticle recpiire a somewhat longer time. The spores of the Equisetacea only germinate when quite fresh; the examination of the pro-embryo is canned on in the same manner as in ferns. The developement of the pistillidia in mosses and liverwoi’ts may bc.st be seen liy taking a thin longitudinal section through the middle of the young stem. They are found, like the germ-organ of ferns, to be always closed in the first instance, and afterwards they open at their apex. In order to follow out the developement of the spores, thin longitudinal and transverse sections must be taken from time to time through the situs of the spores, from the earlie.st stage until the spores are ripe. The use of re-agents will here be essential. Blasia and Pellia are particularly well adapted for tracing the developement of the sjun-es. In order to trace out the origin of gemm.'e, it is necessary to observe the transformation of certain cells of the mother plant, and their subsequent developement into geminaq which m\ist be done, either by means of longitudinal and transverse sections, or by carefully detaching the particular parts to be observed. In$