BRITISH J UNGERM ANNIiE. 
(J. laxifolia.) 
Calyx (f. 4) large, oblongo-ovate or obovate, for it generally increases in size upward, very 
slightly plicate ; the mouth contracted and toothed. It is of the same color and texture 
as the leaves. 
Calyptra (f. 5) ovate, membranous, whitish, reticulated j style short. Barren pistilla small, 
situated at the base of the calyptra. 
Peduncle scarcely more than twice the length of the calyx, white, cylindrical, succulent, 
cellulose. 
Capsule exactly spherical, opening into four equal ovate valves, which are longitudinally and 
transversely furrowed. 
Seeds (f. 7) spherical, and, together with the spiral filaments, of a fulvous brown; these 
latter formed of a double closely-twisted helix. 
J. laxifolia belongs to that division of Jungermannia, which have their leaves placed in a 
quadrifarious manner, and of which so few species have hitherto been detected. With J.julacea it 
will be seen to have many points in common, but will be found to differ materially, not only in the 
greater size and larger cellules of the leaves, but also in the form and disposition of the perichaetial 
ones, in the texture of the foliage, and in the color: in these last particulars approaching 
J. bicuspidata, a species from which it otherwise is abundantly distinct. 
Hitherto this elegant little species has been found only in Ireland ; a country no less fertile in 
rare and singular plants, than fortunate in Botanists both able and willing to detect and investigate 
them. 
REFERENCES TO THE PLATE. 
FIG. 
1. J. laxifolia, natural size. 
2. Fertile plants, magnified 6 
3. Portion of the stem, and leaves 4 
4. Calyx and perichcetial leaves 3 
5. Calyptra 3 
6- Barren pistilla 1 
7- Seeds and spiral filaments 1 
