3o0 NOTICKS OF I^OOK>;. 



precisely en suite with those of the previous work. To it also is 

 appended an interesting biographical sketch of the author by his 

 friend, Prof, Asa Gray. 



Of Sphagnacege there are nine plates, several being repetitions 

 of species already given in the *' Icones," but since found in a 

 fertile state. One new species is established — Sph. Mendo- 

 cinum, from California — which seems to us to differ but slightly 

 from the plumose state of Sph. ciispidatmn, for the more numerous 

 pores and thin cuticular strata can hardly be looked upon as of 

 specific value. 



Among the Cleistocarpous Mosses some very interesting forms are 

 figured, especially of a new genus Micromitrium, closely allied to 

 Fphemerum, and surpassing that genus in the minute size of its in- 

 dividuals. The name being already in use for a section of OrtJiotrichum, 

 it has been altered by Lindberg to Nanomitrium. Three species are 

 figured, one of which, M. megah^porum, Austin, has been identified 

 with Phascum tenerum, Bruch, by Prof. Lindberg, and therefore must 

 now stand as JVanomitrium tetierum (Bruch), Lindb. 



In Trichostomaceae we find additions to several of the genera. 

 One of these, Trich. macrostegium, remarkable for the extraordinary 

 length of its operculum, must certainly be referred to Tortula. 



In Funariacese it is interesting to notice that Fun. americana, 

 Lindb. {F. Muhlenhergii, Schwiig. SuppL, t. 66), discovered by Muhlen- 

 berg in Hedwig's time and never observed since, has again been 

 collected by Mr. James ; the other ^orth American species are F. 

 mediterranean Lindb. {F. Muhlenlergii, Schwag. SuppL quoad descr.), 

 F. calcareay Wahlenb. {F. hihernica, Hk. & T.), F. serrata, P. 

 Beauv., i^. californica, SuU. & Lesc^., F. flavescens, Michx., and i^. 

 hygrometrica. 



In Fissidentacese, besides the pretty little Conomitrium HaUianum, 

 we have the very minute F. Closteri, the beautiful F. ventricosus, as 

 well as our European F. decipiens, De Not., the latter looking distinct 

 enough, though the opinion seems to be gaining ground that it is 

 after all only a form of F. adiantoides. 



To Bryum we have only the addition of a single species, and to 

 Mnium of three. 



In Polytrichaeeae several species are figured already established by 

 Mr. Mitten in Proc. Linn, ooc, v. 8, noticeable among which is the 

 beautiful Oligotrichim Lgallii, while the great genus Orfhotrichum is 

 still further augmented by ton species, although 0. Lescurii, Aust., 

 0. Peckii, Sull. & Lesq., 0. Porteri, SuU. & Lesq., and 0. parmdiLm^ 

 Mitt., are reduced by the author to varieties of 0. cupidatum. 



Among the Pleurocarpi the most noticeable are the elegant Cli- 

 macium ruthenicum (Weinm.), Lindb., Neckera Menziesii, Hook., and 

 Alsia longipes, Sull. & Lesq. ; and the volume closes with various 

 additions to the Hypnoid group. 



That many species of Mosses yet remain to be discovered in the 

 great forests and canons of the Par "West cannot be doubted, but that 

 their illustration will be continued with the exquisite beauty and per- 

 fection of the work before us is more than we can venture to ex- 

 pect, for it is not given to every age to produce a Sullivant. 



R. B. 



