HEPATIC MOSSES. 869 



somewhat compressed and marked on the summit by 

 an indenture or seam longitudinally (probably its 

 final opening, although I never found it open) which 

 is perceptible nearly half down. This capsule con- 

 sists of a membranaceous rather thick skin, not at all 

 transparent, but of a light brown or yellow colour, 

 and a little reticulate. It is completely filled by in- 

 numerable seeds, which are perfectly unconnected 

 among themselves. They are globular, golden yel- 

 low and semitransparent. After protrusion from the 

 calyx, the capsules are strewed about and probably 

 discharge their seed by the opeuing of the seam at 

 top. 



This hepatic, covered with its capsules, was found 

 several successive years in the months of December 

 and January on the beds of my bottom garden and 

 the neighbouring ones at Salem, N. C. but no where 

 else. Before the capsules appear, it would most pro- 

 bably be taken for an incipient Collema, or Anthoce- 

 ros. When dry and shrunk, the capsules remain 

 very visible, for they are proportion ably large, and 

 distinct by their yellow colour. 



In figure 2. 



a. Represents a whole frons with its capsules in na- 

 tural size. 



b. A small fragment of a lobe with capsules, some- 

 what magnified. 



c. A lobe with ditto considerably magnified. 



d. A protruded capsule •» greatly 



e. Au empty calyx J magnified. 



f. A calyx with the capsule still within it. 



46 



