64 
MUSCINE^I. 
portion are distinguished from those of the central bundle by being 
much shorter, resembling bast-cells in shape, and in not giving a 
distinct cellulose reaction ; these cells are connected by pits, which 
are well shown in P. juniperinum, but as a rule can only be clearly 
seen when stained. The epidermis consists at first of a single layer 
of cells ; later on these divide tangentially, forming more layers. 
There is no evidence of lignification in any of the tissues. 
The function of the central bundle is much more that of con- 
ducting food material than of water. It also serves as a receptacle 
for store food, the cells containing oil and starch-grains in the 
spring. The cells of the cortical tissue contain tannin, especially 
in the spring. 
The following notes by F. Stephani, in Journ. Linn. Soc ., Yol. 
xxix, may be of value to those interested in the study of the 
Hepaticas. 
In all Frullanice the leaf-lobule (auricle) is folded in if the 
plants grow in a dry atmosphere, and is unrolled or reduced in size 
and form if they grow in wet and misty localities. This may be 
observed also in our European species. The leaf-lobule is a water- 
sac, which is well developed in dry localities, and becomes useless 
in a damp atmosphere. 
The stylus (at the postical insertion of the leaf-lobule), which 
can be found, with very rare exceptions, in every Frullania , and 
may be traced also in the female bracts as a more or less con- 
spicuous tooth or lacinia at the base of the postical margin, is 
sometimes developed into a large lanceolate leaf overlying the 
cucullate auricle or leaf-lobule. This variability leads to the 
conclusion that the said stylus is nothing but a reduced lacinia of 
the leaf-lobule. I have the authority of Dr. Spruce in support of 
this view (see Trans. Bot. Soc., Edinb., xv., 1884, p. 3). The 
stylus springs from the base of the lobule, just as in Cololejeunea , 
the only difference being that in the last it is free ; in Prullania , 
however, more or less connate to the leaf-lobule. In both the 
stylus is certainly part of the leaf, and stands in no relation what- 
ever to the stipules. Mr. Pearson, in his paper on Canadian 
Hepaticce , has given expression to the opinion that in Cololejeunea 
the stylus is the remnant of a normally bifid stipule. I may be 
allowed to differ from this view. Cololejeunea , though having no 
stipules, produces radicles on exactly the same places wherein 
other Lejeunece stipules are found ; in Cololejeunea the latter have 
disappeared. The rootlets, which always spring from the base of 
the stipules in Lejeunea, alone remain, and point out the place 
where stipules once stood. This place, however, is as far away 
from the stylus folii in Cololejeunea as stipules are in Frullania , 
and no relation between the two organs can be established. 
Certainly an organ cannot be called a remnant of another if they 
do not spring both from the same root. 
Hepaticce Afvicance. — F. Stephani continues to describe and figure 
new species. The present batch of novelties are from the Mascarenes 
and Madagascar ( Hedwigia , p. 198, pi. xix-xxi, Heft. 5, 1892). 
