28 A NEW MOSS FROM IRELAND. 



(Proc. Amer. Ac. of Arts and Sc, 1861) ; but it is separated by 

 C. Miiller in the paper quoted, and with the Cuba plant the Irish 

 specimens, kindly sent by Dr. Moore, agree in everything but size, 

 and though Miiller describes the leaf as " margine integerrimo " 

 in both, it is distinctly crenulate. 



The other species of the genus are — 



3. S.flaccidum (Weissia flaccida, Harvey, Hook. Ic. PI., t. 18, 

 f. 3), from Nepal. 



4. S. Wullschldgelii, C. M., from Surinam. 



5. S. Bernoullii, C. M., from Guatemala. 



6. S. Indicum, Hainpe and C. M., from Calcutta. 



7. S. Spruceanum, C. M. {Weissia § Tapeinodon splachnifolia, 

 Mitten, Musci. Austr. Amer.), from the Andes. 



Another species is also referred to with papillose leaves, from 

 Tranquebar. — Journal of Botany, for July, 1872, p. 193. 



Observations on the above Moss. By Prof. Lindberg. 



The characters of the plant before us show that it cannot be an 

 Entosthodon (i.e., Funaria), but that it must belong to a different 

 tribe of mosses, and if we pass before us all the European species, 

 we do not find one allied to it, and must therefore extend our view 

 to exotic forms. In the tropical parts of America and Asia grow 

 a few minute tufted mosses, which have lately been considered to 

 form a proper genus [Tapeinodon or Splachnobryuni), the type of 

 which is the old Didymodon (?) splachnifolius, Hooker. 



The specimens named Tapeinodon splachnifolius, from Tarapoto 

 (No. 209, b. coll., R. Spruce), seem to be a proper robust form or 

 species distinguished by its size and larger flaccid leaves. 



Another species is Weissia flaccida, Harvey, very distinct by its 

 erect narrow leaves, reflexed at apex, which is obtuse as in all other 

 forms of the genus. 



As to its systematic position, it has not a natural place among 

 Splachnacese, or Funariaceas, for the following characters militate 

 against it : — The habitat on rocks or naked barren soil ; the habit 

 resembling that of certain Trichostomea?, thus the plant from Tara- 

 poto is very like some states of Tr. tophaceum ; the usually dull 

 green or light dirty brown colour of the leaves, which are small and 

 nearly all of one size, easily softened in water, and with cells for 

 the most part distinctly incrassated, and the uppermost much smaller 

 than the rest ; the dioicous inflorescence (no dioicous form has yet 

 been found among Funariacea?) ; the open indistinct andrcecium, 

 which wants all trace of paraphyses ; the very narrow pungent teeth 

 of the peristome, with numerous trabeculas on the inside and papil- 

 lose on both surfaces, and, indeed, not much unlike that of 

 Eucladium verticillatum ; and, lastly, the very narrow calyptra, and 

 seta twisted just as in Trich. rubellum. Judging from all these 

 characters, of great importance in a natural arrangement, I must 

 place the genus in Trichostomea?, where we find some forms, e.g., 

 Pottia vernicosa (Bryol. Javan. t. 51), having leaves of nearly the 

 same structure. 



