292 Some Plants of Danvers ajid Weiiham. 



contour, with its margin revolute or turned back, while be- 

 neath may be noticed occasional dark spots, and likewise 

 minute bristles. The dark spots seem to be merely a discol- 

 oration of the cellular tissue of the skin of the lower portion 

 of the leaf, which is of a paler green than is the upper sur- 

 face. The bristles are in reality, (though seemingly simple 

 black bristles,) elaborately executed club-shaped organs, issu- 

 ing from thickened greenish specks, and inserted on the very 

 surface of the epidermis. The entire contour of each of 

 these club-shaped organs is very similar to what are called 

 antheridia in mosses, and, apart from their situation and 

 habit, would scarcely be distinguished from them. The 

 pedicel or stem of the club seems to divide into two longitudi- 

 nal parts as the little organ matures ; but I think this is merely 

 a deception, and arises from a furrow, which deepens between 

 the two rows of parallel cells, which make up the pedicel. 

 At an early stage of the growth of the young leaf a discol- 

 oration of the transparency of the cells takes place, just at 

 the base of the club where it is connected with the pedicel, 

 and something like a joint is the consequence. If this is so, 

 each bristle is two-jointed ; if not, then its simplicity of struc- 

 ture, in this respect, allies it the more closely to the cmtheridia 

 of the flowers of mosses. On the young leaf the bristle is as 

 hyaline as glass, but on the mature leaf it becomes of a rich 

 golden brown color, though apparently black to the naked 

 eye. I scarcely have met with a microscopic subject which 

 has aff'orded me more gratification than the structure of the 

 corcberjy, as specified above. 



I know not whether any attempt has been made to culti- 

 vate this interesting plant, but should think that the Rock- 

 work would admirably suit its habits, and am sure that no 

 one would regret any necessary pains or trouble to secure its 

 presence in his grounds. 



The topographical history of the subject of our present 

 observations we received on the spot from the lips of Dr. 

 Osgood, wlio accompanied Mr. Oakes when this individual 

 plant was first noticed by him. It was, we were assured, 

 after a long day's ramble, which had proved so far unprofit- 

 able, and when regretting their want of success, they were 

 mutually gratified by such a change of fortune. It certainly 



