BRITISH JUNGERltfANNIJE. 
(J. Blasia. J 
Of the tubular receptacles of the gemmae (which, by the bye, are extremely ill clone in the 
Theoria, where they have the appearance of being of a different texture and color from the rest of 
the plant), Hedwig remarks, “parum de truncelli extreinitate, elevation fructus rudimento superius 
insidet exiguus tenerrimus stylus fusci coloris ab omnibus disquisitoribus praetervisus : neque 
mirum, cum admodum fugax sit.” Yet neither does the figure alluded to exhibit any appearance 
of the supposed style being of a different color from the rest of the receptacle, nor does it ever 
appear so in reality. The same author aptly compares this style-like body, in a more advanced 
state, to the calyx of Anihoceros; and, with regard to Schmidel’s third, mode of fructification, 1 am 
happy to say he entertains the same opinion with myself. I must not omit to notice, that it is to 
Hedwig we owe our first acquaintance with the roots, or root-like appendages, that are found on 
the receptacular gemmae ; although, in the Theoria, they are figured with these appendages too 
large, and too much attenuated. 
In the Species Muscorum (p. 343), the following character of the genus Blasia is given : 
Perigonium nullum (nisi cuticulam dicas). Calyptra brevis, integra elevata cum sporangia 
cordato-acuminato, univalvi, per apicem maturitate pervium emittente sporas nudas. 
Spermatocystidia orbicularia, complanata, solitaria, latitantia singula in foveola, epidermide 
tectfL 
Flores diclini. 
Schreber, in his Genera Plantarum, has added nothing of any moment to what preceding 
authors had done. Hoffmann’s description of Blasia pusilla ( FI. Germ. v. 2), seems to be compiled 
wholly from Hedwig and Schmidel. The same may be said of Roth s account of the genus : 
nor does the excellent Mohr give any new observations in his Cryptogamic Flora of Germany. 
Schwagrichen’s character is a very imperfect one. “ Theca univalvis. Seminum elateres nulli. 
Calyptra a vaginulfi. secedens, dimidiata.” 
YVahlenberg alone has ventured to doubt if the real seeds were known, and has, consequently, 
altered the generic character, which stands thus in his admirable Flora Lapponica : 
'‘Flores dioici 1 
Mas r Sacculus in substantia frondis occultus, rostello elevato eminens, apice dehiscens et 
granula masculina emittens. 
Fem. ignoti ? ” 
And he adds to this a remark so valuable, that I cannot forbear quoting the whole of it. “Granula 
ilia, qute emittunt rostella, mihi tarn similia videntur polline sic dicto masculino in Jungermannns, 
vel etiam propagulis cyathorum apud Marchanliam, ut non possum quin dubitem ea esse vere 
semina. Semper pellucida sunt, quasi e pluribus granulis partialibus composita. Conformatio 
conceptaculi quoque Cyathis Marchantise sat analoga, sed toto caelo a capsulis veris Marchantiarum 
et Anthocerotis recedens. In Marchantid pilosd sic dicti flores masculini desiderantur, cur heic 
femineos pressius reperire volumus ? ” 
It would not have been in my power to have confirmed the opinion held out in the above, 
remark, and to have illustrated my figures and descriptions of this plant with the perfect fruit, had 
it not been for the kind assistance of my botanical friends. Mr. Dickson first put into my hands 
capsuliferous specimens of the Blasia, which he gathered on the shores of Loch Tay, in 
Invernesshire, and supposed to be a new Jungermannia. These, however, I should not perhaps 
have readily ascertained to be the Blasia, had I not received other specimens about the same time, 
but without capsules, from Dr. Swartz, when I was instantly struck with the marginal gemmae 
in both. Mr. Lyell discovered the plant at Kinnordy ; and, with his accustomed zeal and industry. 
