138 DESCRIPTION OF [Polijgastrica. 



cules in the antheridia of Polytrichum juniperinum, P. 

 commune, P. urnigerum and P. alpestre, as well as in 

 Funaria hygrometrica, Bryum cuspidatum, and B. punc- 

 tatum, &c. &c. In Polytrichum commune, the animal- 

 cules are found in very small hexsedral cells with rounded 

 corners. Generally, whilst in the cells they are motionless ; 

 in some, however, a tremulous motion of the thin proboscis, 

 and in others, again, a rotatory motion, interrupted at 

 intervals, was seen. The diameter of the delicate pro- 

 boscis is 0.004th of an inch. In a few animalcules, 

 isolated from their cells, a trembling oscillating motion of 

 the proboscis was seen." 



To these particulars, I may add a remark of Dr. Unger, 

 quoted in the Ann. des Sciences Nat., which induced me 

 to introduce the species : — 



" The doubts," says Unger, " which remain concerning 

 some of the organs of the animalcules of mosses further 

 increase the incertitude as to their situation in the scale of 

 beings. From all circumstances, I am inclined to place 

 them in the genus Spirillum of Ehrenberg, and to describe 

 them under the name of Spirillum bryozoon." 



On mentioning these particulars to Mr. Varley, he 

 referred me to his article on Chara, in the 50th vol. 

 Trans. Soc. Arts, from which is extracted the following : — 



" From these cells" (in the globule in the axile of the 

 Chara) " grow out numerous clusters of long vessels, 

 possessing the most extraordinary features yet observed. 

 When these are first protruded from the globule, if not 

 quite mature enough, their appearance is like dense or 

 strongly-marked ringed vessels, the divisions of which, or 

 their contents, soon begin to appear irregular. * * * After 



