III. Preliminary account of the morphology of the sporophyte of Splachnum luteum

Abstract The investigations of Haberlandt, published in the latter part of 1886, together with the results of investigations of my own, which were then just completed, and communicated to the Linnean Society early in 1887, convinced me of the importance of obtaining further knowledge of the highest development to which the sporophyte of the mosses attains, as being likely to throw light indirectly on the phylogeny of the higher Cryptogams and Phanerogams. Inquiring into the matter, I found that Splachnum luteum, Splachnum rubrum, and some few other forms were the most likely to yield the best results; I determined, therefore, to obtain material for investigating their morphology. These forms being arctic or subarctic, I put myself in communication with Professor Axel Blytt, of Christiania, to find out if he could either procure me material properly preserved for the purpose, or put me in the way of obtaining material if I went myself to Norway.