100 SELECTED NOTES FROM 



sides of the capsule, and are quite as long as the valves are broad. 

 A specimen mounted without pressure is most elegant under a 

 2-inch objective, since the elaters stand out from the valves. 



H. M. J. Underhill. 



The chief differences between the Hepaticce (Scale-Mosses and 

 Liverworts) and the true Mosses are as follows : — In the former 

 the capsule, as it grows upward, bursts through the perigonium, or 

 membranous sheath which surrounds the pistillidium or female 

 organ, so that the sheath remains like a calyx around the base of 

 the fruit-stalk ; in the true IVIosses, the sheath splits around its 

 base, and the upper part is carried upward as a cap or hood, 

 (calyptra,) covering the capsule. 



In the Hepaticce the fruit-stalk is usually brittle and hyahne ; 

 in the true Mosses tough and bristle-like. In Hepaticce the 

 capsule bursts by splitting regularly into four valves ; whereas in 

 the Mosses (except in the genus Andrcea, in which it splits into 

 four valves, and in Fhasaim, in which it bursts irregularly) the 

 capsule has a thickened mouth, closed, Hke that of an urn, with 

 a conical lid, which at length falls off, frequently disclosing 

 beneath it a beautiful series of teeth guarding the mouth of the 

 capsule. In HepaticcB there are found mingled with the spores 

 bodies called elaters — spirally-coiled threads — which when the 

 capsule bursts, elongate suddenly, and shoot out the spores like 

 the spring of a toy-gun ; — these are not found in Mosses. The 

 leaves of Hepaticce are very generally attached edgewise to the 

 stem, and are frequently lobed and folded upon themselves. 

 Stipules are met with on the under-surface of the stem in some 

 species. Many, however, are frondose, having no distinction 

 between stem and leaves. 



H. F. Parsons. 



ZOOTOGICAL. 



Hoplophora. — The family Oribatidce, or Beetle-Mites, are 

 related to the Acaridce — of which family Cheese-Mites are a 

 familiar example — in a way we should hardly expect. Beetle- 

 Mites are, without exception, hard-shelled and very unlike the soft 

 Acarids. But few species had been found in England until 

 recently, and it is likely that more may yet be discovered if 

 properly searched for. Within the last few weeks I have myself 

 found two species, and a friend has found a third, which, if Mr. 



