12Y 



showing the characteristic conical operculum, and the spores also 

 being large. The same lady then sent me for examination all 

 the Btixhaiimias In the Columbia College Herbarium, and among 

 them, to my delight, I found three plants of unmistakable B. in- 

 diisiata collected in October, 1869, by Professor C. H. Peck, "on 



rotten logs in a swamp, Catskill 



Mts 



»» 



These plants have the 



conical opercula in perfect condition, but the spores are not quite 

 mature, and run a little smaller than 



Wash 



speci- 



mens. 



Professor Peck writes me that the station must be 



in 



the immediate vicinity of Haines' Falls, probably in the swampy 

 lowland between Haines' Falls and Tannersville." Examination 

 of the spores of both species, both American and European, 



shows some variation in size ; but the average diameter 



o 



f the 



spores of B. indusiata is from twice to twice and a half that of 



5e of B. apJiylla. 



It may perhaps be questioned whether the moss collected by 



Lyall in the Cascade Mountains, and referred 



ipJiylla 



spec 



mens are not now in America. Leaving them out, I find no evi- 



ipJiylli 



The most 



evident differences between the two species may be set side by 



side in the following manner : 



B, aphylla. 



Capsule shining, reddish, obliquely 

 ovate, much flattened on the upper side, 

 the external cuticle firm and persistent. 



B, indusiata. 



Capsule dull, pale, sub-erect, ovate- 

 oblong, -more tapering, but slightly 

 flattened, the external cuticle at length 



ruptured along the tlattish side and re- 



, volute. 



Operculum conical. 

 Outer peristome triple or quadruple. 

 Spores about twice or twice and a half 

 the size of those of B, aphyUa{\v^-\U^. 

 Habitat ; on decayed logs. 



Now that B, indusiata is known to be American as well as 

 European, all moss lovers will be on the lookout for it, and I 

 doubt not that it will be found on decaying coniferous logs all 

 the way from New England to the Pacific. I will gladly receive 

 and examine any specimens that may be sent me. 



Operculum thimble-shaped 

 Outer peristome simple. 

 Spores small (5-S;'). 



Habitat ; on earth. 



New Haven, March 22, 1890. 



Daniel C. Eaton. 



