they are densely involucrated with slender, hair-like, incurved ramelli. The 

 tetrasjiores occur abundantly, on separate individuals, on the tips of the ra- 

 melli, of the branches, and ramuli. The colour is a dark vinous red-brown. 

 The substance is rigid, and the frond very imperfectly adheres to paper in 

 drying. 



This handsome plant might, without much violence, be con- 

 sidered as a species of Ptilota, from which genus Basyplnla 

 differs merely by having the frond externally covered mth a 

 velvety stratum of microscopic filaments. There is no essential 

 difference in the fructification, especially if we compare it with 

 oxxY Ptilota striata (Plate LXXL), which may almost be regarded 

 as a glahrous " Dasyphila," — if such were admissible. 



In the generic character of Dasyphila, I have omitted minutely 

 to describe the cellular structure of the stem, because in Ptilota 

 — so nearly allied — this is a character little regarded ; for, if at- 

 tended to, it would necessitate the formation of several genera 

 out of the species now grouped under Ptilota. When we come 

 to figure more of the Australian species of that genus, this fact 

 will be apparent, and would be still more so did our figures ex- 

 tend to all known species. Still, I am not at all disposed to 

 break up so natural an assemblage as Ptilota appears to be, by 

 too strict an examination into a purely anatomical character. 

 When anatomical characters are accompanied by difference of 

 fruit and of habit, they are valuable aids in limiting genera ; but 

 alone, they seem scarcely sufficient. 



Fig. 1. Dasyphtla Pkeissii, — tlie natural size. 2. Cross section of a branch. 

 3. Longitudinal semi-section. 4. Tips of branches, bearing favellae. 5. A 

 favella, with involucral ramelli, 6. Spores from the same. 7. A ramellus 

 with tetraspores. 8. One of its fertile segments removed : — the latter 

 figures variously magmfied. 



