70 LEMANE^. 



the figure which he has given of one of the species of our 



55 



genus. 



" The buds of the LemanicB, sessile, naked, rounded, more 

 or less numerous, are situated at the points of junction of the 

 cells, which by their growth they render tumid. When 

 these gemmules come to cover or deform the plants they 

 appear to detach themselves from them ; they carry away 

 sometimes the joints which support them and elongate them- 

 selves to reproduce new LemanioiP 



The above observations certainly do not apply to the 

 Lemania proper ; but Bory has included in the genus one 

 species at least {Chara hatracliosperma, of which Batracho- 

 spermum atrum is a synonyme) which does not belong to 

 it, and on this, distorted and irregular-looking bodies do 

 occur, which I take to be analogous to the " glomerules " of 

 other Batrachosperms ; in this species as in others of the 

 same genus the interior tube referred to by Bory would be 

 found. 



" The LemanicB are very rigid plants and with a peculiar 

 and corneous appearance ; they crack under the teeth with a 

 taste w^hich reminds one of that of fish." 



*^ M. Thore of Dax first remarked, in the Confervafiuvia- 

 tilis of Linnaeus, a fact which is verified in the other species of 

 our genus. The recent filaments of this Lemania, presented 

 towards the flame of a candle, explode and extinguish the 

 candle. This phenomenon does not take place in dried 

 specimens. It is owing to some gas shut up in the con- 

 nections of the joints, and which, put in expansion by the 

 heat, presses against the walls and breaks them with an ex- 

 plosion. A remarkable movement of retraction is expe- 

 rienced in the fingers which hold by the two extremities the 

 filament experimented upon. As to the smell of the biu'nt 

 plant, although very peculiar, it cannot be compared to that of 

 animal substances submitted to the fire." 



" I have not met with any Lemania in stagnant waters ; 

 they grow in quick waters. It is in the pure fountains, 

 large rivers, in very rapid rivulets, that they appear to dc- 

 liglit. Many, moreover, flourish especially in those places 



