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XV. Remarks on the Generic Characters of Mosses, and particularly 
of the GenuA Mnium. 
% James Edward Smi\&, M.D. F.R.S. P.L.S. 
Read November 15, 1803. 
Among all the different botanical opinions concerning the ge- 
nera of Mosses, to which the discoveries of the great Hedwig 
have given birth, nothing has been more variously characterized, 
nor less accurately denned, than the old genus of Mnium, first 
established by Dillenius. The wanderings of the human mind 
in pursuit of truth are amusing and instructive, let the subject 
of its speculations be what it will ; in natural science especially 
they always lead to good. That wisdom so conspicuous to the 
most careless observer of creation at large, condescends to dis- 
play itself with more effect and precision in proportion to the 
ardour and accuracy of our inquiries ; and the humblest moss 
affords no less instruction to the philosophical student of order, 
than satisfaction to the pious mind. Our time therefore ma}' not 
be ill bestowed in examining, first, the principles upon which 
Dillenius founded this genus, and then in considering how those 
principles, with other new ones discovered since, have led his 
successors widely astray in various directions, till we shall find 
the judgment of Dillenius confirmed, though upon principles to 
which he was a stranger. 
This accurate observer of Mosses gives, as the character of his 
Mnium, 
