BRITISH jungermannit:. 
( J. serpyllifolia. J 
The var. (3. ovata differs from a in its smaller size, and in having the leaves more convex 
on the upper surface, and of an ovate figure, acuminate at the point : which appears, indeed, 
at first sight, more striking than is really the case, from the circumstance of the margins 
of the leaves being incurved. 
It is not a little remarkable that a species, which does not seem to be confined to a few 
parts of the kingdom, should, among British Botanists, have found only one author who has 
given a description of it; and, even among foreigners, Micheli alone seems to have been ac- 
quainted with it. This excellent observer has displayed singular acuteness in the figure and 
description he has given us of this plant, and its diminutive associate J. minutissima. Dillenius, 
however, professedly ignorant of the plants themselves, has copied both the representation and 
words of Micheli, not without expressing his doubts as to their accuracy, which he certainly 
would not have done, had the specimens fallen under his own notice. “ Sed vereor,” is his 
remark, " ut valde accurate sint, ob parvitatem suam : capital® videntur Anther® nondum 
explicate, in quibus non capio, quid sint pili in summitate. Qu® puncta vocat, pinnuke 
procul dubio sunt secundarke.” These “ capital®, or “ Anther®, as Dillemus considered them, 
and the “pili in summitate,” are very striking characters in the species, though they are not 
confined to it, since we are now acquainted with four species being thus distinguished; 
J. hamatifolia, J. calyptri folia, J. minutissima, and the subject of the present description. To 
the former of these it is that J. serpyllifolia comes the nearest in its foliage, but the calyces 
will be found to differ materially, as will the leaves, though there is certainly a considerable 
resemblance between those of the variety described above, and of J. hamatifolia : the latter are, 
however, much smaller, still more acuminate and incurved, and have the lobule or expanded 
and involuted margin occupying a much greater portion of the lobe. A difference will likewise 
be seen in the stipules. Both Miss Hutchins and Mr. Lyell have often found the two species 
erowing together; but they have never experienced any difficulty in distinguishing them. 
Mr Dickson has quoted, as a synonym to J. serpyllifolia, Dill. Muse. t. 72. f. 28. insteal 
of f 30 , which appears to have been done through mistake, the former figure being also referred 
to as his J. cinerea; a species which I am disposed to consider only an injured state of 
J. dilatata. . , . , • 
Various degrees of temperature seem adapted to the present Jungermanma, wh.eh ts not 
only found in Italy, ind in the North and South of Great Britain, but also m the st.U eolder 
climate of Sweden, as 1 learn by the kind communications of Dr. Swam. 
