Petalophyllum Ralfsü [ W i h ) , Gott.
, var. Wils. Bng. Bot. t. 2750, f. 15, 16 (1832)
Jungermania Scdfsii, Wils. Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2874 (1848)
Diploloena Lyellii, var. lamellata, Nees, Nat. E a r. Leberm'. I l l , pp. 345, 352
(looo).
p. (1844), G. L. N. Syn.T H-ep . “p. 472 (1846). p‘- “ g -
Codonia R a lfsü , Dum. Hep. Eur. p. 10 (1874).
Peiahphyllum lamellatum, Lindb. iu Meddel. Soc. F. Pl. Pen n 1 p 91 (J874^
-Îbssomôromiï Trabut, Atlas Fl. Alg. p. 7 (1886)
Dioicous. cæspitose, closely attached to the ground, small
ight green in colour. Fronds procumbent, furcate, broadh’
obovate or reniform, flattish, beset on the antioal side with
kmellar processes disposed in radii towards the extremity of the
trond which IS somewhat emarginate ; texture rather flaccid
cells largish to large, walls thin, with numerous chlorophyl
granules attached to their sides, making them to appear somewhat
thick, midrib prominent, postically thick, often lengthened
out at the base of the frond and denuded .so as to resemble a
stipe, covered beneath with numerous rootlets. Perianth antical
proceeding from the middle of the frond, tubular, wide at the’
mouth, which IS dentate. Calyptra smaller. Pedicel thick and
somewhat persistent. Capsule oblong-spherical, slightlv apophy-
sate, coriaceous, splitting to the base into-two valves which are
usually bidentate. Spores brown, reticulate, walls raised o-ivino-
them a bordered appearance not unlike F. angulosa. margin hyaline”
areolæ 5, 6 across, 20 to 25 cells round. Elaters brown, narrow’
bi-tri-spiral. Male fronds broader, antheridia numerous, oval’
enclosed in the laminæ, more frequently near the midrib or enclosed
in scale-hke processes on the mid-rib.
Dimensions.—Fronds about J inch long x inch broad
stems 2- mm. broad x 1- mm. thick ; cells of frond -06 mm.;
perianth 4 '5 mm. x 2 '2 5 mm. ; capsule 2- mm. x F 5 mm.; spores’
•07 mm. ; antheridia -275 ram. x -175 mm.
H ab.—Damp sandy flats on the coast. Very rare.
1. Near Penzance, J. Balfs. Formerly on the roadside
between Loggan’s Mill and Treve, Phillack, and between Hayle
Causeway and St. Erth, TV. Curnow; Gwithian, near Penzance,
W. Curnow. 7. Aberflraw, Anglesey, J. Balfs, W. Wilson,
W. II. P., 1900. 9. Southport, Lancashire, Dr. Carrington,
C. J. Wild, W. H. P. 10. Coatham Marsh, Yorks, W. Ingham,
1901.
I. Malahide, Dr. D. Moore.
Algiers, Trabut.
O b s .— Mr. W. Curnow, in his “ Hepaticæ of West Cornwall,”
says : “ One of the most interesting additions was a new species,
Petalophyllum Ralfsii, first discovered by Mr. Ralfs in an immature
state on the sand-flats of Aberffraw, in Anglesey, and in the
spring following I gathered it with perfect fruit at Hayle, growing
in company with Moerckia hibernica. I regret to say that this
locality for it has since been destroyed by drainage, &o. In
consequence of this find an animated contest ensued between
Dr. Taylor and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Ealfs, each of our opponents
considering it a form of one or other of the known species of
Fossomhronia. Mr. Ealfs, however, with his usual clearness of
perception, and a praiseworthy pertinacity iu maintaining what
he believed to be the truth, ultimately won his case, and established
the right of the plant to the rank of a new species, whereupon
Mr. Wilson courteously appended to it the name of the
discoverer.”
I t is a singular species, easily recognised by the lamellate
fronds.
D e sc r ip t io n oe P late CXC.—Fig. 1. Fertile frond, nat.
size. 2. Male frond, slightly magnified. 3. Frond with cross-
section of perianth (after Wilson, Eng. Bot). 4-G. Cross-sections
of stem X 11 (Southport, C. J. Wild). 7. Portion of frond x
290 (ditto). 8. Perianth x 11 (Aberffraw, Wilson). 9. Spore x
290 (Penzance, J. Ealfs). 10. Antheridium x 24 (Southport,
Wild).