VAUCHERIA. 59 



f. Capsules numerous, lateral, on separate peduncles. 



12. Vaucheria poltsperma Hass. 



Plate VI. Fig. 6. 



Char. Frond minute. Capsules separate, in the form of 

 a bird's head, pedunculated, varying in number from 

 three to five, but usually there are but three sporangia, 

 not entirely filling the cavity of the seed-vessels or cap- 

 sules. 

 Hassall, in Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. xi. p. 429. 

 Hab. Vicinity of Cheshunt. 



This species, which is by no means uncommon, may be dis- 

 tinguished from all others known to me by the fineness of 

 its filaments, which are not half so large as those of our other 

 British species, no less than by the form and arrangement of 

 the seed vessels. These are slightly pedunculate, varying in 

 number from three to five, but iisually there are but three, 

 the apices or beaks of which are neither turned towards or 

 averted from each other, but are all directed one way. The 

 resemblance which the capsules bear to a bu'd's head when 

 viewed sideways is very remarkable, and this resemblance is 

 rendered still more striking by the fact of the circular s^Doran- 

 gium occupying only the central portion of each, and which 

 therefore represents the eye of the bird. 



It is remarkable to observe that in this Vaucheria there 

 are no distinct horns or anthera), the base of each vesicle 

 before its complete formation appearing to represent the 

 anther. 



g. Proper Capsules none, AnthercB none. 



13. Vaucheria clavata Vauch. 



Plate II. 



Char. Frond avspitose, the extremities of the branches 

 clavatc. 



