rent thicknesses, and usually darker at the apex. Sometimes the summits
of the bundles are entire, smooth and poin ted; at others they seem
to separate into the ultimate filaments, and become delicate and feathery.
In regard to size, the w hole plant depends greatly upon its place
of growth. The fibres may be only a few lines in length, or near three
inches, as in the specimen represented in English Botany. In some
cases, as when confined closely between tbe bark and wood of decaying
prostrate trees, the plant does not appear to be ever completely developed,
b u t to retain the form of a fine expanded web.
As I have not succeeded in discovering any thing more respecting
the nature of this plant, than what is already known,
I have adopted the genus proposed for it by Professor L i n k ,
which F r i e s has also done. Its mode of reproduction seems
at present to be unknown ; at least perfect asci and sporidia
have not been observed.
The Byssus fu lva and Byssus hai'bata of H u d s o n are
only different states of the same plant; and Ozonium radians
of P e r s o o n scarcely seems to be distinct from it.
Few plants accommodate themselves better to circumstances.
W i t h e r i n g mentions that Lady E l i z a b e t h N o e l gathered
a fine specimen from an old chair exposed to the drippings of
a water-cistern. The upper figure in the annexed plate was
taken from a beautiful one presented to me by Mr P r o b a r t ,
found by him on the damp plaster ceiling of a room.
This plant also forms one of the number of those which vegetate
freely in mines, excluded from light, and at a great depth.
I have a specimen communicated to me by Dr H o o k e r , which
had been sent to him by Mr S m i t h from the coal-mines of
Swindrige hluir, along with a Bhizomorpha and a Polyporus.
Figs. 1. & 2 . 0. auricomum, in different states. Fig. 3. Young plants; natural
size. Fig. 4. Fasciculi of fibres. Fig. 5. Fibres; magnified.