312 
but somewhat rapid stream. After a protracted examina- 
tion of the specimen, in its dry state, when moistened, as an 
opaque object, and as a transparent one mounted in glycerine 
medium, it appears to be different to any species of Junger- 
mannia yet identified in Tasmania, and unlike any 
described in Flora Tasmania, It does, however, closely 
resemble Jungermannia reticulata as described in the Hepa- 
ticee of Campbell’s Islands, in No. 1, Vol. 1, of Flora Antare- 
tica; the specimen is, therefore, rightly; or wrongly so 
named. Both a siccate and a mounted specimen of the plant 
have been submitted to Baron von Mueller, in order to 
obtain his opinion of the correctness of its classification. He 
referred me, in a long, kind, and encouraging reply, to the 
treatises by specialists in this Library, and which, in the 
meantime, I had carefully consulted, with the result just 
recorded. 
This Jungermannia grows as a low tuft, from 2in. to 3in. 
wide, and close to the ground. The stems are much entangled, 
and in general aspect are nearly black. As closely as I can 
make out, the direction of the leaves succubous, and 
there are remarkable auricular growths at their bases, in 
form reminding one of the clubs in which gymnasts take 
delight. These curious auricles appear also to proceed from 
the stem, as wellas from the bases of the leaves, and probably 
take the place of the stipule lobes, as has been suggested by 
Sir J. Hooker with regard to similar appendages on 
plants of this and other genera. The appearance of the 
plant is beautiful under the microscope, and to those who 
have not made Hepatice a special study, it is extraordinary, 
especially as an opaque moist object, the club-shaped auricles 
then appear to advantage. The areolation of the leaves is 
very lax and pellucid, the cell-walls being clearly visible 
with a low power; the stem leaves appear to be entire or 
nearly so, and the upper ones are ciliated; the cilia are also 
very distinct with a low power. The colour of the leaves is 
from reddish-brown at the bases to yellowish green at the 
apices. 
a valt may be assumed that beetles, ants, and such-like 
small creatures behold these minute forms as large growths, 
in like manner as we behold the lovely Acacia or the sombre 
Eucalyptus. To such small creatures the J. reticulata must 
offer a charming retreat, screening them, as it does, from 
the stronger light by its many-tinted diaphanous network of 
cell-structure, and its ruby evascular stems. They must, 
indeed, enjoy themselves, and live lives of pleasure as they 
luxuriate 
“Beneath Hepatic’s golden-pencilled shield, 
Whose fronds of varied hue a close protection yield.” 
