386 Mr. Hooxer’s Observations on Andrea. 
et operculato predita. Per fructum calyptratum, capsulam teg- 
mento cucullato seu mitriformi corollz speciem sistente, et a tha- 
lamo, cui primus adhzrebat, divulso vel per medium abruptum * 
instructum intelligimus, et per fructum operculatum, capsulam 
operculo plerumque libero, et maturitate decidente, rariüs rema- 
nente, tectam." Thus, he continues, we remove from the order 
Musci, 1. the Lycopodia, 2. Porella, 3. Marchantia, Jungerman- 
mia, and Anthoceros, “que quidem fructu non vero opercu- 
lato sed dentibus aut valvulis pluribus dehiscente gaudent." 
The capsule is in reality furnished with an operculum, that is to 
say, is terminated by a conical-shaped covering, which, although 
closely united to the capsule, still has its line of separation so 
far defined that I should not think any one would hesitate in 
calling it an operculum. In A. rupestris and Rothii this part is 
even of a different colour. It is true it does not fall off, as in 
most other Mosses, for the emission of the seeds, nor does the 
singular conformation of the capsule require it; for, when the 
capsule is fully ripe, four longitudinal openings permit the dis- 
charge of the seeds. This operation can only be performed in 
dry weather, when the spaces between the valves open, the valves 
themselves swelling out, and the capsule, from an ovato-oblong 
figure, becoming more orbicular, as represented at Tan. XXXI. 
jig. 4. f. In moist weather the openings become contracted, 
and the capsule recovers its original form, even though the seeds 
may have been discharged. ‘The calyptra is never elevated with 
the capsule in the shape of a true calyptra, as in the Musci in ge- 
neral, nor does it open vertically as in Jungermannia, but is some- 
* In a note to this passage, Bridel instances as a single exception the genus Sphag- 
num, in which the lower and torn part of the calyptra remains surrounding the base of 
the capsule. Andreea of course makes another exception. 
Nhat 
