TWENTY-SEyENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 163 



hyaline, and often spurred, or appendiculate, or papillose. The segments are 

 usually opposite the outer teeth, and sometimes adhere to them. These inner 

 teeth are often shorter than the outer, and usually thinner and paler. These 

 are also often papillose, hygrometric, or hyaline. (See plates.) 



In Tetraphis pellucida and the Polytrichaceae the peristome consists of 

 agglutinated filaments. These differences in the teeth are used by Mitten, an 

 English bryologist, as a basis of division, separating all mosses into two 

 divisions — Arthrodonti. those with jointed teeth, and Nematodonti, those 

 having filamentous teeth. 



In the genus Polytrichum the top of tne columella expands into a mem- 

 brane, closing the mouth of the capsule, and joined to the top of the teeth, 

 and is called the epiphragm, or tympanum. 



The teeth are supposed by some writers to aid in scattering the spores by 

 their hygroscopic properties, which cause them to make considerable motion, 

 in curling back and forth into various positions as the amount of moisture 

 varies. 



At any rate the spores are dispersed in some way, and find a moist place 

 in which to germinate. This finishes the cycle of development and brings us 

 back to the spore, our former starting point. 



Many mosses, mentioned above as illustrations of various points, do not 

 occur in Kansas, nor have I examined all, but I quote from the authority 

 of the greatest bryologists. 



All species thus far reported from this state by reliable authorities are 

 arranged below in a key, which is but an abbreviation of "Barnes's Artificial 

 Key to North American Mosses," or, perhaps, more properly speaking, it is 

 modeled from Barnes's Key. I have arranged this key for the convenience 

 of other students of our Kansas mosses, knowing that it is very far from com- 

 plete, but hoping to add to it myself at some future date, and feeling sure 

 that whoever may take up this study will also add much more towards its 

 completeness. 



Many of the species included I have never collected or even seen ; but they 

 are reported by the best authority ; and my list is mainly prepared from Renauld 

 and Cardot's last' list, published in the Botanical Gazette, March, 1892, with 

 such additions as I have made from my own collection. All my identifications 

 have been verified by Mrs. E. G. Britten ; who has very kindly assisted and en- 

 covu'aged me in my work. 



All species marked with a star or dagger I have in my collection and have ex- 

 amined closely ; those marked with a small x were identified and stvidied by Ren- 

 auld and Cardot, from specimens sent them by Dr. Joseph Henry, of Salina, and 

 published in the Botanical Gazette, Vol. XVII, p. 82. All species not marked at 

 all are reported in other lists, as "Washburn Bulletins," or "Smyth's Check 

 List ; " while those marked by a double dagger are new species. 



The number following the name of a genus or species in this key refers to the page of Les- 

 quereux and James's Mosses of North America, where the description is to be found. 



ANALYTIC KEY TO THE GENERA OF KANSAS MOSSES. 

 ORDER I.— Sphagnaceae. 

 Capsule dehiscing by a deciduous operculum : peristome none ; 

 leaves composed of large hyaline cells, with intervening rows 

 of small chlorophyllose ones. Genus single x Sphagnum molle Sulliv. 18 



ORDER II. — Andreaeaceae. 



