Fig. 55. 1. Transverse section of a root of Equisetum variegatum Schl., e endodermis, or outer layer of the phloeoterma (after Pfitzer; × 160). 2. Transverse section of rhizome of E. maximum, slightly enlarged. 3. Transverse section through a node of E. maximum, x, branch of vascular strand (slightly enlarged). 4. Transverse section through a node of E. maximum showing the mass of xylem, px protoxylem (× 175). (Figs. 3 and 4 after Cormack.)
Immediately external to each vascular strand, as seen in transverse section, there is a layer of cells containing starch, and this is followed by a distinct endodermis, of which the cells show the characteristic black dot in the cuticularised radial walls (fig. 52, D). Beyond the endodermis there is the large-celled parenchyma of the rest of the cortex. Tannin cells occur here and there scattered among the ground tissue. On the same radius on which each vascular strand occurs, the cortical parenchyma passes into a mass of sub-epidermal thick-walled mechanical tissue or stereome. Alternating with the ridges of stereome, the grooves are occupied by thin-walled chlorophyll-containing tissue which carries on most of the assimilating functions, and communicates with the external atmosphere by means of stomata arranged in vertical rows down each internode. The continuity of the cortical tissue is interrupted by the occurrence of large longitudinal vallecular canals alternating in position with the stem ridges and vascular strands (fig. 52, C, v). The epidermis consists of a single layer of cells, containing stomata, and with the outer cell-walls impregnated with silica.
In certain species of Equisetum, e.g. E. palustre L., the whole circle of vascular strands is enclosed by an endodermis, and has the structure typical of a monostelic stem. In others e.g. E. litorale Kühl. each vascular strand is surrounded by a separate endodermis, and in some forms e.g. E. sylvaticum L. there is an inner as well as an outer endodermal layer[492]. Without discussing the explanation given to this variation in the occurrence of the endodermis, it may be stated that in all species of Equisetum the stem may be regarded as monostelic[493].
In the rhizome the structure agrees in the main with that of the green shoots, but the vallecular canals attain a larger size, and the pith is solid. A slightly enlarged transverse section of a rhizome of Equisetum maximum is shown in fig. 55, 2, the small circles surrounding the pith mark the position of the vascular bundles and carinal canals; the much larger spaces between the central cylinder and the surface of the stem are the vallecular canals.
The central cylinder or stele of the root is of the diarch, triarch or tetrarch type; i.e. there may be 2, 3 or 4 groups of protoxylem in the xylem of the root stele. The axial portion is occupied by large tracheids, and the smaller tracheids of the xylem occur as radially disposed groups, alternating with groups of phloem. External to the xylem and phloem strands there occur two layers of cells, usually spoken of as a double endodermis, but it has been suggested that it is preferable to describe the double layer as the phloeoterma[494], of which the inner layer has the functions of a pericycle, and the outer that of an endodermis. A transverse section of a root is seen in fig. 55, 1, the dark cells on the left are part of a thick band of sclerenchyma in the cortex of the root, the layer e is the outer layer of the phloeoterma.
Without describing in detail the development[495] of the sporangia, it should be noted that the sporangial wall is at first 3 to 4 cells thick, but it eventually consists of a single layer. The cells have spiral thickening bands on the ventral surface, and rings on the cells where the longitudinal splitting takes place. Each sporangium is supplied by a vascular bundle which is given off from that of the sporangiophore axis. The strobili are isosporous.
| II. FOSSIL EQUISETALES. | A. [EQUISETITES.] B. [PHYLLOTHECA.] C. [SCHIZONEURA.] D. [CALAMITES.] E. [ARCHAEOCALAMITES.] |
In dealing with the fossil Equisetales, we will first consider the genera Equisetites, Phyllotheca and Schizoneura, and afterwards describe the older and better known genera Calamites and Archaeocalamites. A thoroughly satisfactory classification of the members of the Equisetales is practically impossible without more data than we at present possess. It has been the custom to include Equisetites, Phyllotheca and Schizoneura in the family Equisetaceae, and to refer Calamites and Archaeocalamites to the Calamarieae; such a division rests in part on assumption, and cannot be considered final. When we attempt to define the Equisetales and the two families Equisetaceae and Calamarieae, we find ourselves seriously hampered by lack of knowledge of certain important characters, which should be taken into account in framing diagnoses. There is little harm in retaining provisionally the two families already referred to, if we do not allow a purely arbitrary classification to prejudice our opinions as to the affinities of the several members of the Equisetales.
The Equisetaceae might be defined as a family including plants which were usually herbaceous but in some cases arborescent, bearing verticils of leaves in the form of sheaths more or less deeply divided into segments or teeth. The strobili were isosporous and consisted of a central axis bearing verticils of distally expanded sporophylls with sporangia, as in Equisetum. The genus Equisetites might be included in this family, but it must be admitted that we know next to nothing as to its anatomy, and we cannot be sure that the strobili were always isosporous.