188 CYSTOSPERME^. 



pyrlformis, aplce regulariter vel irregularlter deliiscens, et 

 sporas emittens. Spora3 globosa?^ hyaliua3, massa grumoso- 

 submucilaginosa infarctas, utrlculos implentes. 



''H. mirabilis. — Filis inequalibus virldibus brevibus, septis 

 semi-pellucidls ; sporis e capsulls emissis ad fascicules con- 

 junctis ; utricuHs cylindricls diametro dupli-triplo longioribus, 

 hinc inde ad globules tumescentibus, qui, secreti ab aliis 

 utrlculis, ut animalcula infusoria, se moYCnt et, rumpeutes 

 eorum racmbrana, sporas emittunt." 



Tor the following translation of Meyen's remarks upon 

 the above species I am indebted to Mr. Kippist, to whom I 

 may take this opportunity of rendering my best thanks for 

 the kindness and readiness with which that gentleman has 

 always undertaken whatever could facilitate the progress of 

 this work : — 



" This plant is found in a water-tank of one of the warmest 

 houses of the botanic garden at Bonn. I first observed it 

 in the beginning of January of the present year (1827). It 

 w^as at that time already in fruit, and during a period of 

 three and a half months, during which I have observed it, it 

 has continued quite in the same condition in which I at first 

 found it. 



" It is a constant character of this Conferva, that the fruit 

 capsule appears at that end of the filament by which it is at- 

 tached to the side wall of the Avater-tank, and from the great 

 mass of spores scattered by the capsule, all the ConfervcB 

 which spring up at the same spot grow together into such a 

 heap that their basis appears of an almost uniform black, 

 from which the Confervcz project In a radiating manner. I 

 have not yet succeeded in determining whether the threads 

 have first attached themselves to the wall of the tank, after 

 the formation of the capsule, or whether the last joint, by 

 which they, as it were, take root on the wall, may have 

 gradually assumed the form of a pear-shaped capsule, with 

 an extended neck. Even if in this latter case the explanation 

 of the structure of the capsule should present further diffi- 

 culties, I might still be able to explain them. I have but 

 very seldom been able to observe the streaming out from the 



