along the base of the marginal
part, and an evident deposit of grumous matter, from which, under every
circumstance new tissue seems always to be developed. Pressure causes
its discharge, its contents were unappreciated by my poor instruments;
after this the leaflets revert to the appearance of the second stage.
Here I ceased for the day, having I think ascertained that ferns are
endorhizal, and that the primary divisions of the roots hence have
sheaths, which adhere to the apex of the root itself.--What a strange
union of roots, that of monocotyledons in the main divisions, and of pure
acrogens in the minor!!

I cannot help thinking that the secret is hidden in these ramenta, which,
as is known, are so universal as obviously to have higher functions than
those of mere covering scales. The appearance of those I have described
as existing about the points of growth, are exactly the same as the
processes mixed with the anthers of mosses, and of which the anthers are
nothing but more developed growths; this would point out, as indeed
appears to me otherwise evident, (especially from consideration of the
theca, and its want of style,) that ferns are lower organised as sexual
beings than mosses and Hepaticae. I know nothing of Lycopodineae, more
than they are the highest of all acrogens; and are not to be included in
the same category with ferns.

The objection to the ramenta being anthers, will be the closed nature
(_apparently_) of the terminal cell, and although the anthers of mosses
do burst, and most especially those of Hepaticae, yet the argument is not
conclusive--inasmuch as _boyaux_, to which they are analogous _do not_
_open_?

These ramenta explain fully the nature of those confervoid organs found
in some Neckerae, and perhaps in other mosses, and it becomes paramount
to prove whether these Neckerae have also the usual anthers, or if they
are confined to these, in which case a presumptive proof will thus be
afforded of their functions: if they have both forms, they will
nevertheless constitute an analogous passage between the two orders: if
they have only _these_, such Neckerae will form, as indeed they do, a
very distinct genus.

The nature of the barren fronds requires distinct analysis. Are they
barren from mere deficiency in supplies, such as may result from many
circumstances; or are the antheriform ramenta deficient? They are barren
from defective growth. I am aware how readily objection may be ta