MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 44 



Fig. S7.Tubercled Scale-Moss (Frullania dilatata), x20. 



This Scale-moss belongs to the Jungermannise, but, unlike 

 the preceding genus, the capsules are sessile ; that is, seated 

 close to the stem. The capsules are absent in this figure, as 

 it has been drawn chiefly to illustrate the bifarious leaves, and 

 the stipule-like bodies called amphigastria, which bodies, it 

 will be noticed, are placed in rows on each side of the stem. 

 This plant is common on the bark of many trees, although it 

 may not often be noticed by casual observers on account of 

 its being of a brown colour. 



It is best when mounted in fluid or glycerine-jelly. 



Fig. 88. Yellow Wall-Lichen (Parmelia parietina) , x 20. 



This is one of the commonest of our British Lichens, It is 

 found chiefly on walls, palings, &c., and may be known by 

 its yellow colour (although it is often of a greyish tint when 

 growing in the shade) and by its having also large yellow 

 apothecia, or cups, of which magnified views are given in this 

 drawing; the other part is called the thallus. This part, 

 although different in shape, would slightly answer to the young 

 fronds of ferns, it containing within its structure all the re- 

 quisite organs for its further propagation. The organs of 

 fructification are similar to those of the Fungi. 



Although common, they are plants but little studied in 

 fact, even less so than Mosses. Here microscopists will find 

 a good and useful field for their labours of research. 



Most of the Lichens, when required for the determination 

 of their species only, are best mounted in a dry opaque cell ; 

 when their parts are wanted, they are best mounted in fluid 

 or balsam. 



