"Since the above observations were made, I have learned that these oil globules are briefly described by Von Siebold. See Dr. Burnett's Translation of Von Siebold's Anatomy of the Invertebrata, pp. 310 and 334. This author regards them as fat-cells, and, after stating that they occur in many crustaceans, adds the following remarks: 'The fat which these cells contain plays a part, probably, in digestion and assimilation; for with these animals the excess of nutriment is deposited as fat to be used in times of need, as, for example, during the act of moulting. This explains why the quantity found is so variable, or even may be entirely wanting.' I cannot find that they are described by other authors, nor are the appearances which they present in the crustaceans of the Cochituate represented in any of the figures I have seen." Professor Horsford exhibited the organic matter obtained from thirty-six barrels of Cochituate water; also similar matter taken from the aqueduct above the Brookline reservoir. This Professor Horsford remarked, that the protosalts of manganese are sometimes colorless, and sometimes red. color has been attributed to a trace of cobalt combined with it, while the pure manganese has been considered colorless. It has been found that the pure ore is in reality red, while, when combined with nickel, the compound is colorless. Four hundred and tenth meeting. January 31, 1855. QUARTERLY MEETING. The PRESIDENT in the chair. Dr. Gray presented, in behalf of the author, the following paper, entitled, "Notices of some New Mosses in the Collection of the United States Exploring Expedition under Captain Wilkes, by William S. Sullivant." (Continued from page 81.) "25. NECKERA PHYLLOGONIOIDES (n. sp.): perpusilla, nitidissima; caule repente radiculoso squamiformi-folioso; ramis vix uncialibus erectis distantibus simplicibus frondiformibus lineari-lanceolatis complanatis; foliis patenti-divergentibus bifariam arctissime imbricantibus lineari-elongatis rectis e basi ultra medium complicatis dehinc exacte navicularibus extremo apice leniter recurvo brevissime gemello-costatis, areolatione e cellulis minutissimis linearibus, apicialibus rhombeis, basilaribus oblongis amplioribus pellucidioribus. — Hab. Luzon, one of the Philippine Islands. "26. PILOTRICHUM VITIANUM (n. sp.): majusculum, aureo-lutescens, nitidum; caulibus e basi horizontali radiciformi erectis pinnatoramosis e flexionis angulo repetito-innovando-continuis primum flagelliformibus, ramis robustis interdum apice attenuato-elongatis et innovando-ramulosis, elongationibus ramulisque rectis gracilibus undique appresso-microphyllis; foliis rameis quinquefariis spiraliter dispositis confertissimis patenti-divergentibus e basi coarctata oblongis subito acuminatis maxime cymbiformi-concavis (cavitate ante basin acuminis longi subserrati undulato-constrictam abrupta profunda) ecostatis compacte angustissime lineari-fusiformi-areolatis, cellulis pachydermibus lutescentibus, inferioribus ad parietes subcrenatis, basilaribus brevioribus puniceis. (Cat. non lectis.)- Hab. Feejee Islands. "27. METEORIUM MAUIENSIS (n. sp.): fusco-flavescens et pallide virens; caulibus pendulis flexilibus pedalibus et ultra pinnato-ramosis ramis 1-3 uncialibus dissitis simplicibus raro iterum ramulosis flaccidis flexuosis, vetustioribus apice interdum filiscenti-attenuatis microphyllis; foliis indistincte 4-5 fariis laxius imbricatis patentibus e basi auriculato-cordata subundulata amplectante oblongo-obovatis obtusissimis breve apiculatis cymbiformi-concavis (marginibus e medio ad apicem late inflexis) scariosis minute areolatis, cellulis subtransversim seriatis lineari-oblongis subparenchymaticis maxime pachydermibus ad parietes interruptis, utraque ala cellulis majoribus subquadratis aurantiacis in orbem majusculum incrassatum dispositis instructa. (Flo. et fruc. non visis.) — Hab. East Maui, Sandwich Islands; on the north bank of the Crater, at an elevation of 10,200 feet. "28. METEORIUM BRASILIENSE (n. sp.): dioicum: dendrophilum, robustum, nitens, inferne spadiceum, superne luteo-viride; caule primario breviusculo repente tenaci nudo brevissime radiculoso prehensili flexuoso plurimos ramos 2-7 unciales fructigeros rigidiusculos dependentes basi appresso-microphyllos simplices vel remote rectangulariter brevi-ramulosos exserente; foliis laxiuscule ubique insertis permagnis trilinealibus (pilo incluso) e basi ampla cordata orbiculariovata valde amplexante erecta plus minus horizontalibus oblongolanceolatis subtubuloso-convolutis subito in pilum rectiusculum vix denticulatum folio fere duplo longiorem productis, basi obscure brevicostatis membranaceis firmis translucentibus; cellulis valde minutis suo diametro 6-7-plo longioribus lævibus pachydermicis inter se ob parietium meatus appositos veluti subanastomosantibus utriculo primordiali soluto flexuoso instructis lutescentibus, basilaribus profunde rubro-aurantiacis latioribus subquadratis opacis; perichætis lateralibus sessilibus parvis; foliis perichæt. subecostatis, inferioribus ovatis muticis apice recurvis, reliquiis erectis convolutis oblongo-elongatis obtusiusculis subito longe piliformi-acuminatis, interioribus brevioribus superne pellucide repando-marginatis archegonia 23-28 paraphysibus paucis inter se valde inæquilongis et processibus longissimis piliformibus comitata amplectantibus. (Flo. masc. et fruct. non visis.) — Hab. Organ Mountains, Brazil; on trees. "29. METEORIUM NITIDUM (n. sp.): dioicum: pallide virens, nitens ; caule gracili e basi prostrata ramis æqualibus simplicibus subjulaceis brevibus fructigeris densissime pinnata parce diviso, divisionibus pendulis longissimis flexuosis distanter ramulosis, ramulis cuspidatis sæpe binatim ternatimve fasciculatis; foliis rameis erecto-patentibus e basi angusta oblongo-ellipticis cymbiformi-concavis in acumen longissimum piliforme subflexuosum vix dentatum subito productis membranaceis politis minutissime areolatis, cellulis linearibus, alaribus amplioribus laxioribus subquadratis griseis orbiculariter congestis, costa debili supra medium abrupte desinente; perichætiis lateralibus subsessilibus ; capsula immersa cylindraceo-oblonga brevissime pedicellata; peristom. dentibus lineari-subulatis aurantiacis perforatis, ciliis brevioribus (læsis) e membrana angusta ortis; perichætialibus oblongo-convolutis breviter reflexo-acuminatis mediotinus obscure costatis. (Operc. et calypt. non lectis.) Hab. Vicinity of Rio Janeiro, Brazil. "30. HYPNUM LIMBATUM (n. sp.): cinclidotoideum, majusculum, fluitans; caule longissimo in ramos elongatos parce ramulosos diviso laxifolioso; foliis humidis siccisve patentibus oblongo- vel lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis modice carinato-concavis interdum subtortilibus, superne serratis costa valida dorso versus apicem serrata percursis, margine ubique incrassato costa formi circumductis densius areolatis, cellulis parenchymaticis echlorophyllosis superne oblongis subopacis utriculo primordiali plus minus conspicuo instructis, inferne linearioblongis subpellucidis. (Flo. et fruct. deficientibus.)- Hab. New Zealand; on stones in the bottom of streams. "31. HYPNUM CALDERENSE (n. sp.): robustum, lutescens, nitidum; caulibus prostratis; ramis erectis simplicibus vel parce ramulosis cuspidatis densius foliosis; foliis divergenti-patentibus vel horizontalibus rectis plus minus subconvolutis subellipticis longe lineari-acuminatis (acumine semel bisve torto) superne denticulatis scariosis firmis ecostatis minute areolatis, cellulis linearibus lævibus pachydermibus subparenchymaticis indistincte oblique seriatis, inferioribus subcrenatis, alaribus permultis amplissimis oblongis vesiculaformibus intense aureis concentrice dispositis. (Cat. desunt.) - Hab. Caldera, Mindanao, one of the Philippine Islands. "32. HYPOPTERYGIUM BRASILIENSE (n. sp.): monoicum, viride; caulibus e rhizomate erectis 1-2 uncialibus, inferne simplicibus squamiformi-foliosis, superne in frondem planam erectam pinnatim divisis, ramis simplicibus vel parce ramulosis; foliis paululum imbricantibus valde asymmetricis oblique cordato-ovatis acuminulatis anguste pellucido-marginatis apicem versus argute serratis semi-costatis, costa simplici, minutius areolatis, cellulis æqualibus rhombeis utriculo primordiali soluto subopacis; amphigastriis rotundato-cordatis cuspidatis marginatis vix denticulatis continuo-costatis; capsula horizontali ovali in collum desinente longe rostrato-operculata; calyptra minuta elongato-conica latere fissa rostrum vix tegente; peristomio hypnoideo luteolo binatim ciliolato; pedicellis rubris sparsis longiusculis; perichætialibus ecostatis; antheridiis 7-9 majusculis longe pedicellatis ; paraphysibus brevissimis 5-6-septatis, cellula summa cæteris triplo longiore. Hab. Organ Mountains, Brazil. 33. HYPOPTERYGIUM GLAUCUM (n. sp.): dioicum; H. Smithiano proximum, sed differt statura multo minore; colore glaucescente; foliis (in sicco vel humido) dense subjulaceo-imbricatis fragilibus minus asymmetricis rotundato-ovalibus brevius acuminatis; ramis maxime incurvo-deflexis; amphigastriis pro foliorum ratione majoribus. (Fr. deficiente.) Hab. New Zealand. "ALSIA, Nov. Gen. "Calyptra cuculliformis glabra. Operculum conico-rostratum. Peristomium duplex: exterius dentes sedecem lineali-lanceolati: interius cilia totidem dentibus alternantia filiformia e membrana angusta carinata, orta; ciliolis subnullis. Capsula cylindrica, recta vel subincurva, exannulata, brevi-pedicellata, perichætio elongato emersa.— Florescentia dioica: flores masc. numerosi. Caulis arcte repens, defoliatus; rami plus minus resupinati, ramulis microphyllis parce breviter subpinnati. Folia ovato- oblongove-lanceolata, lævia, punctiformi-areolata. Habitatio arborea. Habitus perichætium foliorumque areolatio Lasiæ; peristomium calyptraque Leskeæ. "34. A. CALIFORNICA : monoica; cæspitibus viridibus extensis bisexualibus; caule arcte repente nudo radiciformi radiculoso ramos 2-3unciales compressiusculos deorsum directos modice resupinatos ramulis brevibus microphyllis parce subpinnatos paraphyllisque minutis multiformibus instructos edente; foliis laxiuscule imbricatis oblongolanceolatis erecto-patentibus vel e basi erecta patenti-divergentibus concaviusculis margine anguste reflexis apice plana indistincte serrulatis vix semi-costatis lævibus, illis ramulorum minoribus gracilioribus, cellulis minutulis rhombeo-rotundatis chlorophyllosis seriatis, mediis basin versus oblongis subpellucidis, alaribus quadratis obscuris; capsula oblongo-cylindracea exannulata breviter pedicellata e perichætio subimmerso gracili elongato exserta rostrato-operculata; vaginula longissime orthotricha; calyptra cuculliformi angusta ad capsula descendente glaberrima; perist. dentibus lineali-lanceolatis remotius prominenter trabeculatis inferne flavescentibus striolatis superne griseis punctulato-scabris linea divisuriali conspicua notatis, ciliis fere æquilongis subuliformibus nodoso-articulatis scaberulis basi membrana angusta plicata transversim oblongo-areolata connexis; perichætialibus vaginantibus, superioribus filiformi-acuminatis pedicellum æquantibus: flo. masc. gemmiformibus valde manifestis tota caulis ramorumque longitudine utrinque crebre dispositis; antheridiis 4-6 paraphysatis. -Neckera Californica, Hook. et Arn.; C. Mull. Syn. Musc. Frond. 117. Hab. California; on trees." 2. p. George Livermore was elected a Fellow in the Section of Philology and Archæology. Professor Horsford read a joint communication by Professor Frederick Wöhler of Göttingen and John Dean, on Tellurmethyle. Professor Agassiz made a communication on the alternate generation of Oceania tubulosa and Thaumantias, showing that they arise from polyp-like stalks, known as Syncoryne and Campanularia, and mentioning some interesting partic |
