70 LEMANE^. 



the figure wliich he has given of one of the species of our 

 genus." 



" The buds of the Lemamce, sessile, naked, rounded, more 

 or less numerous, are situated at the points of junction of the 

 cells, which by their growth they render tumid. "\^Tien 

 these gemmules come to cover or deform the plants they 

 ajjpear to detach themselves from them ; they carry away 

 sometimes the joints wliich support them and elongate them- 

 selves to reproduce new Lemanice." 



The above observations certainly do not apply to the 

 Lemania proj^er ; but Bory has included in the genus one 

 species at least i^Chara hatrachosperma, of which Batracho- 

 spermum atrum is a synonyme) which does not belong to 

 it, and on this, distorted and irregular-looking bodies do 

 occur, wliich I take to be analogous to the " glomerules " of 

 other Batracliosperms ; in this species as in others of the 

 same genus the interior tube referred to by Bory would be 

 found. 



" The LemanicB are very rigid plants and with a peculiar 

 and corneous ai^pearance ; they crack under the teeth Avith a 

 taste Avliich reminds one of that of fish." 



" M. Tliore of Dax first remarked, in the Confervafiuvia- 

 tilis of Limiasus, a fact which is verified in the other species of 

 our genus. The recent filaments of this Lemania, presented 

 towards the flame of a candle, explode and extinguish the 

 candle. This phenomenon does not take place in dried 

 specimens. It is owing to some gas shut up in the con- 

 nections of the joints, and which, put in expansion by the 

 heat, presses against the Avails and breaks them with an ex- 

 plosion. A remarkable movement of retraction is expe- 

 rienced in the fingers Avhich hold by the tAvo extremities the 

 filament experimented upon. As to the smell of the burnt 

 plant, although very peculiar, it cannot be compared to that of 

 animal substances submitted to the fire." 



**I have not met Avith any Lemania in stagnant Avaters; 

 they groAV in quick Avaters. It is in the pure fountains, 

 large rivers, in very rapid riA'ulets, tliat they appear to de- 

 light. Many, moreover, flourish especially in those places 



