127 
to be similar to that of certain species of Zrichomanes, and is 
compared with that of Sphagnum, Andreea and Metzgeriopsis. The 
Sporogonium is said to be most nearly allied to that of Diphyscium, 
and to possess no true seta, as the calyptra is ruptured by the ex- 
pansion of the theca, and not by the elongation of the pedicel, as 
in the true Bryinee. The plate illustrates the variation of the 
sporophylls in Onxoclea Struthiopteris, and Botrychium Lunaria. 
The alliance with Diphyscium is contrary to the views of Lindberg 
and Braithwaite, though more in harmony with those of all the 
older authors, and most modern ones. Also the growth of the 
sexual organs upon the protonema, and the complexity and vari- 
ability of the peristome would seem rather to indicate a higher 
organization. 
The paper noticed above abounds in theories of the most 
slender probability, stated as ascertained facts. For example, in a 
paragraph of eleven lines (p. 357) the following propositions are 
given. 
1. The organization of the sporogonium of Burbaumia “is 
rudimentary as compared with that of the true Bryinez.”’ 
2. “It somewhat recalls that of Sphagnum and Andreea.” 
3. “It has no true seta, but merely an absorbent organ which 
penetrates into the rudimentary stem of the moss-plant.” 
4. “This organ gives off a number of rhizoids which absorb 
nourishment from the stem.” 
5. “Consequently in this form the calyptra is ruptured, not by 
the elongation of the seta as in the Bryinez, but by the expansion 
of the theca of the sporogonium.” 
As Professor Goebel gives no reasons for his inferences, dis- 
cussion is out of the question. The apparent statements of fact 
are contrary to the conditions observed in a recent study of Bux- 
| baumia, which gives, in the main, the same results as those of 
Schimper, from whose descriptions and plates it appears that the 
capsule (especially of B. indusiata) is, if anything, the most com- 
plex of any of the mosses; the seta is entirely homologous with 
that of other mosses, does not give off rhizoids, but fits into a 
socket of the short stem, and ruptures the calyptra by elongation. 
The fact that the marginal cells of the leaves of Buxbaumia 
grow out into long filaments is given as a reason for supposing a 
hat the leaves of this genus are in some way more fr otonemal i 
