(3. pusilla.J 
BRITISH JUNGERMANNIiE. 
Stems wholly procumbent, lying flat upon the ground, varying from one to three, or 
sometimes four lines, in length ; the diameter thick in proportion to the size of the 
plant, cylindrical, or somewhat compressed, waved, simple (f. 6), beset with a single 
ramulus (f. 7), or, more rarely, divided once or twice in a dichotomous manner. 
Leaves varying in number, according to the size of the individual, about half a line long, 
closely placed, obliquely decurrent, hoiizontal, of a squarish figure, much waved, but 
scarcely plicate, the extremity cut into two, three, or four irregular and obtuse notches, 
forming segments, which are sometimes blunt and sometimes acute. Their color is a 
pale green, with more or less of a yellowish brown tinge as they approach the base of 
the stem ; sometimes, according to Schmidel, partaking of a reddish hue. The cellules 
are roundish, approaching to ovate (f. 4). 
There are neither perigonial nor periclicetial leaves* to this species. 
The Male Fructification (f. f, 3. 4) is scattered about the upper surface of the stem, and quite 
exposed, both upon sterile and upon capsuliferous plants : Each 
Anther is of a spherical form, reticulated, of a yellow color, terminating a white, pellucid, 
footstalk, which scarcely exceeds it in length (f. 5). 
Female Fructification originating from the centre, or towards the extremity of the plant; but 
I have never observed it to be exactly terminal, although Dr. Roth considers that, to be its true 
situation, and is of opinion that, when it is lateral, it arises from an “ innovatio caulis.” 
Calyx produced singly, or two or three together, large, three-fourths of a line in length, 
sometimes nearly equalling the whole size of the plant, campanulate, having a cleft in 
the margin (f. 10), and the border variously crenate and waved. At the base are five 
minute subulate stipuliform processes, which have been hitherto unobserved by botanists, 
but which I find very constant in all the individuals I have examined. Sometimes the 
calyx is cut into three or four unequal segments, as is represented at figure 9. In the 
reticulation it resembles the leaves, as well as in texture, except that it is somewhat more 
delicate. Its color is, moreover, paler, and not unfrequently, according to the acute 
Schmidel, of a reddish or pinky cast. 
Germen of an obovate form : two or three are sometimes contained in the same calvx 
(f. f. 9. 10. and 7). 
Calyptra whitish, delicate, reticulated, terminated by a short style. 
Peduncle scarcely twice the length of the calyx, of a silvery white, succulent, cellulose, 
sometimes a little twisted (f. 10 ). 
Capsule exactly spherical, of a reddish brown color, and of a thin, delicate, semipellucid 
nature, reticulated, having deep brown dots along the margins of the reticulations (f. 11); 
departing from the essential character of the genus, inasmuch, as it bursts in a most 
irregular manner f, to permit the discharge of the seeds, as may be seen at figures 10 
6. and 7. 
* \ et Roth says of the fructification, that it is “ cincta Iasi foliis quatuor taxis.” 
t Schmidel, I ought in justice to observe, expressly says, “ valvse recent!' r dehiscentes oblong^ ovattn et acuta; 
sunt dm autem hanc formam non retinent, sed ob teneritatem ab apice marcescere et per particulas cadere incipient •” 
“ !S f' l represents the four entire valves: yet, in the specimens which have come under my own observation, 
the capsules have, as shewn in the plate, burst irregularly. ’ 
