Page:The Journal of Indian Botany.djvu/508

 by Muller in the new edition of Rabenhorst's Kryptogamen-flora (3). It has four projections of the surrounding cells passing into the central space while the greater part of this space is quite empty. It differs also from the var. aquatica in that the central dark band on the dorsal surface has pores on it whereas according to Evans they are absent in this region.

It is curious to note that Stephani (4) describes a Porella (P. ovalis) from Nubra from the collections of Hooker and Thomson. A Liverwort answering to the description of this species as given by Stephani has been found by the writer in abundance in the Chenab valley but I would not have expected a foliose form in Ladak. Even thallose forms which are distinctly xerophilous are rare as I have already said.

The valley of Kashmir gave a surprise. From his previous visits the writer had an impression that Kashmir was not very rich in liverworts but now it can be definitely stated that the number of species and individuals is far less in Kashmir in comparison to the eastern part of the Western Himalayas. The following species were collected:— An undescribed epiphytic species of Porella in the Sind valley below Sonamarg; a slightly different form of this species was collected at Verinag; Marahantla nepalensis, Fegatella conica and Pellia calycina were all met with in the rooms round the spring at Verinag. Fimbriaria reticulata was found by the writer on a former occasion in the same part of the country, It will be seen therfore that the number is very small, and even if we add to this the species described from Kashmir by other writers the number would still be quite small. On account of the great abundance of water one would have expected a much larger number of liverworts both as regards individuals and species. It is clear therefore that the general principle stated by the writer that the number of liverworts falls in going from the east to the west horizontally holds good for Kashmir also.

More forms were met with on the way from the Banihal pass to Jummuo. The following is the list:—

Banihal village:—Riccia sanguinea, Beboulia hemispherica, Pelliacalycina, Marchantia nepalensis and a Porella were met with a little lower down.

Rainsu (a little below the village):—Plagiochasma appendiculatum. Patni pass (the richest place) : — 'Marchantia nepalensis, Beboulia hemispherica, Plagiochasma appendiculatum, Athalamia jnnguis, Fim-