Splachnum sphaericum

Maier, Eva & Price, Michelle J., 2014, Georg Bojung “ Scato ” Lantzius-Beninga and his contributions on the anatomy of moss capsules: a transliteration from the original German texts, Boissiera 67, pp. 1-79 : 37-38

Splachnum sphaericum (Tab. LXI. Fig. 18-20 ).

The genus Splachnum is not only characterized by the form of the species, but also by the inner construction of the capsules that is comparatively delicate.

The apophysis, in the lower part, is constituted from an unusually strong development of parenchyma, particularly in the inner part of the seta; already here some layers of cells separate and create the outer capsule membrane; see in Splachnum ampullaceum Link l. l. Hft. 4. Tab. 6. Fig. 10. dd. Hedwig Musci frondosi, Vol. II. Tab. XIV. Fig. 12. The middle part of the capsule resembles most of the other mosses, but the upper one deviates in many respects. Above the gap between the outer capsule wall and the spore sac a layer of thickened coloured cells appear that, initially, do not show a regularity in number seen the transverse section, [original page 578] Fig. 18 . pp, but afterwards augmenting to thirty-two bigger cells as in Dicranum scoparium , Fig. 19 . pp, and further up moves on to sixteen peristome cells. These peristome cells have all their membranes thickened as well as the horizontal separating walls; chiefly thickened, however, are the covering membranes of the cells bordering the outer side, Fig. 18 , 19 and 20 . rr.

By the way (at least in Splachnum sphaericum ) the layer of the peristome cells reaches to the outermost apex of the capsule to a degree that I have not seen in any other genus of mosses. At that place appear cells with red coloured membranes, so to speak as in the keystone of a vault. *)

Instead of a ring appear relatively small epidermis cells, Fig. 20. a , with strongly thickened membranes; higher up they become gradually larger and finally at the apex of the capsule form an extremely delicate crown, Fig. 20 . ap; see this also in Hedwig Musci frondosi. Vol. 2. Tab. XIV. Fig. 14.

When the operculum has fallen off, the peristome of Splachnum consists of “eight relatively broad teeth, by a longitudinal fissure finally disintegrating in two teeth” **), it means that below, each tooth is formed by two couples, above by each two peristome cells bordering on one another. – In the sequence of Weissia , therefore in the sequence of mosses with sixteen or thirty-two peristome cells,

[original page 579] Splachnum is the only genus in which the peristome teeth consist of real cells and not only of parts of cells.

Figures

Fig. 18. Part of a transverse section below

Fig. 19. and above the annulus of a capsule of Splachnum sphaericum. Magnification x 250.

Fig. 20. Part of a longitudinal section of the same capsule and the same magnification.

Fig. 9. of a mature capsule of Barbula fallax, magnification x 500. Further explanations are in the text.