Genus 41. BLASIA, Mich.
Ila s ia , Mich. Nov. PI. Gen. p. 14 (1729); Linn. Fl. Suec. ed. l , p . 933; ed. 2,
p. 405 (1745), et Sp. H . p. 1605 (1753).
Junyermania, Hook. Brit. Ju n g . tt. 82-84 (1810).
Plant frondose, nerved. Pruotification produced in a rupture
of the nerve. Involucre bladder-shaped, adnate to the apex of
the irond. Perianth enclosed within the utricular involucre.
Calyptra obovate. Peduncle emerging from the apex. Capsule
oval-globose, 4-valved, coriaceous. Elaters bi-spiral, deciduous.
Antheridia immersed in the thallus, covered with dentate scales.
Gemmae globose, arising by a slender ascending tube from their
large flask-like receptacles which are immersed in the thallus.
Blasia pusilla, L.
a, Linn. Sp. pi. 1605 (1758).
Junyermania Blasia, Hook. Brit. Ju n g . t. 82 & 84 (1816).
Dioicous, in flat imbricating patches, medium size,paleyellowish
or bluish-green in colour. Fronds prostrate, horizontal, costate,
simple or with a single lateral branch, dichotomously divided,
palmate with apices forked or rarely stellate; lobes usually oblong
or linear-obovate, apices always broader than the base, often erect,
margin pinnatifid or shortly lobate, sinuous, undulate, incurved ;
throughout the centre of the frond and its divisions runs an
evident and broad nerve, most prominent on the postical side ;
texture fleshy, thinnest at the margin where it is membranaoeous ;
at the middle 8-14 cells thick, gradually becoming thinner to the
margins where it is one cell thick ; cells somewhat indistinct, at
the middle of the frond striate, narrow, elongate, near the margin
medium size, oblong-quadrate or quadrate, marginal cells smaller,
quadrate, very finely crenulate, walls thick and firm ; radiculose,
rootlets numerous, proceeding from the postical side of the frond
but chiefly along the nerve, long, slender, hyaline. On the
postical side of the frond are scattered small, hyaline, oval scales
B L A S IA . 441
resembling stipules which are unequally dentate. Involucre
antioal, oblong-lanceolate, inflated, semi-transparent, vanishing
early, imbedded in an oval cavity in the mid-rib of the fronds.
Calyptra obovate, free. Capsule oval-globose, on a long pedicel,
4-valved, valves thick, dull reddish brown in colour, inner layer
with imperfect spiral threads. Spores sub-spherical, greyish-
brown, slightly granulate; elaters very narrow, about -j the
diameter of the spores, hyaline, bi-spiral. Male plant smaller,
narrower and rarer ; andrcecia imbedded in the antical side of the
frond ; antheridia elliptical, yellowish in colour, shortly stipitate.
Gemmiparous ; gemmae numerous, globose, issuing hy a slender
ascending tube from their flask-like receptacles, which are
immersed in the frond. Fruits March and April, quickly disappearing.
D im e n s io n s .— F ro n d s ^ to 1 in c h lo n g , 4 '- 6 ' m m . w id e ; cells
•03 m m . X -04 mm. ; sp o re s -05 mm . d iam . ; e la te r s '2 mm .
lo n g X '01 m m . b ro ad .
H ab.— On wet clayey banks in woods, or on moist heaths.
Moderately rare.
1. Trembath, Chyanhal, Trungle Moor, Cornwall, W. Curnow;
Madron Valley, near Carfury, and near Gurnard’s Flead, Cornwall,
F. B. Marquand. 3. Road leading from Langton Green to Speld-
liurst Church, Forster, “ Fl. Tunbr.” 5. Banks of Severn, Seckley ;
Arley Wood; Dimmings Dale, Staffordshire, W. Bagnall. 7.
Cwm Byohan, Merionethshire, Bev. T. Salwag. 8, 9. Marple,
Cheshire, G. A. Holt; Ashley, Cheshire, W. H. P. ; Daisy Nook,
Lano., G. A. Holt, Sailor’s Shore, Lane., G. A. Holf, Holden
Clough, Lane., G. A. Holt. 10. Near Clapham, Hr. Carrington;
Clay pool-side, near Sherburn, Hr. F. A. Lees; Halifax, J . Bolton ;
Todmorden, John Nowell; Pennant Clough, Hebden Bridge, A.
Stansfield. 12. Low Borrow Bridge; Foulshaw; by river Lune,
near Ingmire Hall, Westmorland, G. Stabler. 13. Damp roadsides,
New Galloway, J . McAndrew; near Carronbridge, Charles
Scott; Cluden Mill, Kirkcudbrightshire, James Cruickshank. 15.
Den of Carrol, Aberdeenshire, J. Sim. 16. Moidart, West
Inverness, S. M. Macvicar.