( ioi ) 



X. Remarks upon the Dillenian Herbarium. By Dawson Turner, Esq. 



F.R.S. A.S.$ L.S. 



Read April 19, 1803. 



J. he Historia Muscorum of Dillenius is a work of so great autho- 

 rity, as well for the excellence of its figures and descriptions as 

 for the extensive knowledge and consummate accuracy of its 

 author, that it must be regarded as the surest medium now 

 left us of becoming acquainted with the various tribes of Mosses 

 and Algae described by Linnaeus and all subsequent writers down 

 to the present day. In referring to this work, hovvever, it has 

 not unfrequently happened that differences of opinion have arisen 

 as to the plants really designed by the learned Professor, and a 

 confusion of synonymy, than which nothing is more perplexing 

 or injurious to science, has necessarily been the consequence. To 

 remove this in some measure appeared a task likely to be not 

 altogether useless, and the only certain mode of effecting it was 

 evidently by a careful reference to the original specimens. With 

 this design Mr. Joseph Woods and myself, therefore, on the 

 28th of February last, went to Oxford, where, by the kindness of 

 Professor \\ illiams, we were allowed to examine the Herbarium 

 now preserved in the botanic garden at that city. It is the result of 

 this examination that is here offered to the Linnean Society ; but 

 it may be well in the first place to observe that our expectation 

 was not disappointed ; for the specimens, which are in good pre- 

 servation. 



