But from one of the cells a number of little processes are given off, and from the centre of these a bud, like

roots and reproductive organs complete. In fig. 128 S is the detached sporangia, which has given rise to the pro-embryo P.Em, with its root R, and bud B.

It should be noted that in Chara there are no vessels. The whole plant is built up of cells, each being originally of the simple form of cells, but some of them becoming ultimately modified. Thus the antherozoids are at first simple cells, becoming modified for a special purpose.

From the simple character of the organisation in these plants, the order occupies a low position in the classification of flowerless plants. Their place is between the Crystalworts (Ricciacca) and the Algæ.

It remains for us to notice the British representatives of an order called Marsileacea, or Pepperworts. There are but three British species, one of theseIsoëtes Moorei—having been discovered by Dr. Moore, as recently as 1879, in Upper Lake, Bray, co. Wicklow.

The English species are but two, each belonging to a different genus. They are both aquatic plants.

Isoëtes lacustris, the Quillwort, or Merlin's Grass, grows on the bottoms of lakes, being completely submerged, when it has the appearance of grass. The stem or root-stock is globular in form, and gives

off a number of erect, tapering leaves from four to six inches in length. These leaves consist of four rows of long cells placed side by side, and subdivided by transverse partitions. It is these transverse partitions which show through the epidermis and give the leaf the jointed appearance shown in fig. 129. The

base of the leaf is very broad, and concave; within the hollow it bears the fructification, which is of two kinds. The spore-cases produced by the outer leaves contain large four-sided spores which open on the upper surface by three triangular valves; whilst those of the inner leaves are minute and more numerous.

These latter are evidently antheridia. The larger spores germinate by division of the cells of the apex, from which archegonia are formed. Fig. 130 represents a leaf with its spore-case, which is also shown detached. Fig. 131 is a section of the spore-case showing the three chambers into which it is divided. The plant is rare in the south of England. The name is derived from two Greek words, Isos, equal, and etos, a year, in allusion to its leaves, which are persistent during the whole year.

The remaining species is known as Pilularia globulifera, the Pillwort, or Pepper-grass. It grows on

FIG. 132.

the margins of ponds and lakes, and presents the appearance of fig. 132. It has a creeping stem, from which, at intervals, are given off the fibrous roots which fix it in the mud, and the small quilllike leaves. These leaves are at first rolled up in a circinate manner, like the fronds of ferns, and vary in length from an inch to four inches. They are hollow, bright green, and smooth.

The spore-cases are attached by a short stalk to the stem, at the base of the leaves. They are about the size of a pepper-corn, from which fact the popular name has arisen; they are densely clothed with hairs, and, when ripe, split open into four valves, to the centre of which the spores and antheridia are attached. The lower part

of the spore-case is devoted to the large single spores; the upper produces the smaller, numerous granules, which ultimately yield spermatozoids, which fertilise the larger spores. This spore-case is represented at fig. 133.

FIG. 133.

Pilularia is more frequent in the south of Britain than Isoëtes, but it requires careful searching amongst the sedges to discover it. Both these plants are easily cultivated, Isoëtes forming a suitable object for the bottom of an aquarium. They belong, as we have stated, to the order Marsileacea, one species of which, M. macropus, affords the fruit called Nardoo, which the Australian aborigines made up into a coarse kind of bread, and to which a melancholy interest attaches. When the exploring expedition of Messrs. Burke, Wills, and King had crossed the Australian continent from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, they were reduced to sore straits on the return journey, finally perishing of starvation. This was their last resource, and Mr. King, who survived, brought some of the spores with him to Melbourne: there are specimens at Kew which were raised from these spores.

And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath."

HEMANS.

EVERY one admires the beauties of the flower, but how few properly appreciate the glories of the foliage! Only at two short periods of the year do we usually deign to give them a word of admiration. In spring we all seem to sing the praises of Nature, as we behold the delicate fresh green tints of the bursting leaf-buds and the tiny leaflets. With them come the harbingers of summer, the bright flowers of spring, led off by the pure white of the

"Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!"

followed by the ever-welcome

"Daisies, those pearled Arcturi of the earth,
The constellated flower that never sets,"

as Shelley sings; perhaps the most-valued flower of all that blow, for though it cheers us by its presence nearly all the year, we yet esteem its innocent beauty when we are surrounded by all the floral wealth of