o f a line in length, very convex on its superior surface, o f a n ovate figure, a cuminate a t
the extremity, where it is often curved in various directions, b u t usually downwa rd: the
margins are e ith e r entire (f. 5 ), o r serrated (f. f. 4. 7 ) , a circumstance tlia t varies much
in different individuals, and even on th e same shoot, though th e former appearance is th e
most common : th e lower lobe is ab o u t ha lf the size o f tlie uppe r, which it resembles in
shape, and is remarkably involute, having its ma rgins sometimes, though rarely, very
slightly serrated. T h e substance o f the leaves is ra th e r thick and subearnose for so small
a p la n t; the ceiiwfes small, rou n d , a little prominent. T h e co/or pale green.
Perigon ial leaves generally to be found a t th e ex trem ity o f a surculus, scarcely differing from
the re s t, except in being ventricose a t the ir base, and placed in a more crowded and
somewhat imbricated manner.
Perichætial leaves (f. f. 3. 4. 9- 10) almost twice th e size o f the cauline ones; two attached
to each calyx, th e base o f which fliey embrace : They are ovate, approaching to round,
nearly plane, divided, for about one ha lf o f th e ir len g th , into two, ovate, b u t unequal,
u p rig h t, acute segments or lobes, o f which the margins are sometimes entire , b u t more
frequently elegantly and very conspicuously serrated (f. f. 9. 10.)
Stipules (f. f. 7. 8) small, ovate, acutely cleft, for nearly h a lf th e ir len g th into two sharp,
equal segments, which appear to be always entire a t the ir margins.
M a l e F r u c t i f i c a t i o n ; a single spherical Anther, situated in the axiUa o f each perigonial le a f;
it is faintly reticulated, o f a pale yellowish ash co lo r: th e fo o ts ta lk is white , pellucid, and
transversely striated.
F e m a l e F r u c t i f i c a t io n lateral.
Calyx more than a qua rte r o f a line long, ovate o r obo?'ate, often a ttenua ted a t th e base,
distinctly ribbed with five prominent and acute angles, reaching from th e extremity
nearly to th e ba se ; these are e ith e r entire (as a t f. 10), o r strongly serrated (as a t f. 3).
Tlie mouth is much contracted, and generally also elevated and tu b u la r, c u t in to many
fine and sharp teeth.
Germen (f. 11) ovate, contracted a t th e base ; sfyie ra th e r long, tubular.
Calyptra (f. 12) ovate, whitish, reticulated.
Peduncle scarcely exceeding the len g th o f th e calyx more th an ha lf a line , divided, by means
o f transverse septa, into short jo in ts , which ag a in ajipear striated longitudinally, in
consequence o f the numerous narrow, and tub u la r cellules o f which they are composed.
Capsufe exactly spherical, white, pellucid, membranous, reticulated, opening into four equal
segments, or valves, which are only h a lf as lo n g as the capsule, and a t th e ir apices
su p p o rt the
Spiral filaments, adhering to them by th e ir bases : each composed o f a double helix, slightly
twisted, and enclosed in a pellucid tu b u la r membrane. T h e seeds, though by no means
exactly spherical, are more so th a n those o f J . calyptrifoUa and J . serpyllifolia, and are
o f a gre en color, inclining to olive.
The leaves o f var. fi present under the microscope a highly-beautiful and singula r appe a ranc e ; for
each cellule, upon the ir surface and m a rg in , which in the common s ta te o f the plant is, a t most,
convex or slightly prominent, is he re so much so, and so acuminated as to appear altoge the r
echinated ; a peculiarity th a t is not confined to the cauline leaves, b u t extends to Hie perichætial
ones, and to th e calyx. The cellules o f the stems, too, are more than usually convex.
(The same m in u te , nearly spherical, reticulated bodies (f. 13), which, under th e description of
J . calyptrifoUa, I have called Gemma, are also abundant upon the present species, b ut I am
unable to discover how they are attached to it.)
In my remarks on J . serpyllifolia, I have noticed the affinity which th e present p lan t bears
to the var. fi of th a t species, and, in addition to th e observations I there offered, I have only to
add, th a t this is m uch smaller in all its p a r ts ; th a t the size o f th e lobule, both in th e cauline and
perichætial leaves, bears a much gre a te r proportion to th a t o f th e lobe j th a t the te x tu re is thicker
and more succulent, the. calyx narrower, and the stipules more ovate.
J , hamatifolia is probably n ot a rare in h abitant of th e subalpine parts o f th e British isles;
b u t a n experienced botanist, without the assistance o f a microscope, would scarcely be a b k to
distinguish it, in its native place of growth, from J . minutissima, a lthough on a more minute
examination, th e leaves will be found to possess a widely different character.
I have to reg re t th a t the Anthers, and a more perfect s ta te of th e capsule, as well as the
war. fi, were discovered too la te to have them inserted in th e annexed plate.
' A m inute , reddish, globular body (f. 6) is not unfrequent in the axillæ of th e leave., and
may a t first sight be reatllly mistaken for an A n th e r; b u t it is pellueid, always de stitute of a
footstalk, and has ra th e r th e appearance o f an animal th an a vegetable substance.
R E F E R E N C E S T O T H E P L A T E .
J. hamatifolia, natural size.
Portion o f the same, ma g n ified ....................................................................._....................
Fructified portion o f the s t e m ...............................................................................................
The same, with serrated leaves .......................................................................................... ’’’2
Cauline leaves ...................................................................................................... .....................
Cauline leaf, with an animalcule ( ? ) in its a x il la ..................................................... 3
Under side o f a portion o f the stem, shewing the stipules ...................................... 5
S t ip u l e ........................................................................................................................................... ^
Perichælial leaves ...................................................................................................................
Calyx and perichætial leaves ............................................................................................... ^
Germen........................................................................................................................................... ^
Calyptra ...................................................................................................................................... ^
Gemmæ..................................................................................................................
Seeds................................................................................................................................................ ^