398 HEPATIC^. 



X -45 mm., "5 mm. x "45 mm., bracts 75 mm. x "45 mm., segments 

 •1 mm., -65 mm. x '5 mm., seg. -1 mm., "65 mm. x "5 ram., seg. 

 •15 mm., perigonial bract "55 mm. x '425 mm., seg. '1 mm., 

 antheridia -125 mm. x '075 mm. 



Hab. — 16. Grows in depressed tufts, or straggling among 

 mosses. Ben Nevis, at about 4000 ft., W. West, August 12, 

 1880. The only known British station. 



Found on the Continent. 



Obs. — The British form differs from any of the Continental 

 specimens I have seen in its larger size, but, as it agrees in its 

 monoicous inflorescence, $ and ? on the same plant, but on 

 different branches, and in the shape and texture of the leaves, I 

 have little doubt they are one and the same species. Herr 

 Limpricht, the founder of the species, described it at first as a 

 Sarcoscjjphi(s[Marsiq)elIa), with a distinct perianth, but soon after- 

 wards referred it to the genus, or, as Dr. Spruce maintains, sub- 

 genus Cesia. In carefully examining every stem sent me by Mr. 

 West, I met with two fertile ones which appeared to have true 

 perianths, but the specimens were weathered and too imperfect to 

 rely upon ; others, as figured, well represent the genus Cesia, 

 where there is no true perianth, and the innermost bracts are free. 

 Distinguisbed from other species of the same genus and from any 

 of the Marsiipellce by its monoicous inflorescence. Dr. Spruce 

 found in original specimens from Herr Limpricht a fertile invo- 

 lucre which had a tubular perianth reduced to a short multilobate 

 cup, confirming his contention as to the position of the supposed 

 genus Cesia. 



Cesia covferta has been referred by some authorities to Cesia 

 varians, Lindb. (Meddel. soc. F. Fl. Fenn. 13, p. 238 (1886), Nardia 

 {Marsupella) varians, Lindb. Muse. Scand. p. 9 (1879), but I have 

 found no variableness in the inflorescence of C. covferfa, nor does 

 it agree in other particulars. 



When barren it might be overlooked for a small form of Jiivr/. 

 miniita, Crantz, but from which it is very distinct. 



Description or Plate CLXXV. — Fig. 1. Plants natural size. 

 2. Portion of fertile stem x 24. 3-6. Leaves x 31. 7-9, 



