Musct Exorict.—Hornschuchiant. 
SYSTILIUM SPLACHNOIDES. 
Gen. Cuar. Perist. simplex; dent. sedecim parium bre- 
vibus, basi conjunctis. Operculum cum columella con- 
natum, persistens. (Capsuda cum apophysi.) Horns- 
chuch. (Tas. XCVIIL.) 
Systilium splachnoides. Hornsch. in Comment. de Voit. 
et Systil. p. 14. t. 2. 
Has. Ad rupem micaceo-schistosam, unico tantum loco, in alpi- 
bus Carinthiz superioris. D. Prof. Hornschuch. 
Caules cespitosi, 3-4-lineares, rubicundi, plerumque simplices, 
lia undique imbricata, flavo-viridia, basi rubedine tincta, 
erecta, ovata, concava, apice obtusa, margine omnino integer- 
rima, nervo ad apicem attingente ; substantia pellucida, pul- 
cherrime reticulata, areolis grandiusculis oblongis. Set@ se- 
fusca, siccitate angustior. Operculum conico-obtusum, flavum, 
intus columelle filiformi post capsule dehiscentiam et semi- 
num emissionem usque adnatum. “ Calyptra,” secundum cl, 
Hornschuch, “ conica, obtusa cum papilla, levis, flavescens, 
adulta campanulata.” Peristomium e dentibus 32, paulo intra 
marginem capsule insertis, brevibus, rufis, subincurvis, per pa- 
ria approximatis atque basi connatis, siccitate erectis. 
This new genus is established by Professor Hornschuch, as 
well as the preceding one, in the Memoir above quoted. To the 
correctness of the characters there laid down I can bear ample 
testimony. The operculum firmly adheres to the apex of the co- 
lumella, not only after it has separated from the mouth of the 
capsule, but after the dispersion of the seeds, when the seminal bag 
is left empty within the capsule ; as represented in our plate, fig. 6. 
The teeth too are 32 in number, or 16 pairs; in this particular 
differing essentially from Splachnum, but then it is to be regretted 
that the habit of the plant is so entirely that of a Splachnum, and 
especially that of S. Freelichianum, that, except in the marks 
which indicate the genus, it would be difficult to find points of 
distinction, The capsule is, however, narrower, and the fruitstalk 
shorter. Systilium resembles Splachnum scabrisetum of this 
work, and also Hookeria splachnoides of Schwaegrichen, (Tay- 
loria mihi) in the point of insertion of the peristome, but differs 
from the former in the number, and from the latter in the short- 
ness and straightness, of the teeth. 
Fig. 1, tuft of plants; and Fig. 2, single fertile plant, naf. size, 
Fig. 3, single sterile ditto. Fig. 4,leaf. Fig. 5, young capsule 
with the calyptra (from Hornschuch’s figure). Fig. 6, mature 
capsule cut open to show the union of the columella with the 
operculum after the discharge of the seeds. F ig. 7, capsule and 
portion of the peristome (outside view), Fig. 8, portion of the 
peristome seen within the capsule-—magn. 
