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XV. Remarks on the Generic Characters of Mosses, and particularly 



of the Genus Mnium. 



By James Edward Smith, M.D. F.R.S. P.L.S. 



Read November 15, 1803. 



Among all the different botanical opinions concerning the ge- 

 nera of Mosses, to which the discoveries of the great Hedwig 

 have given birth, nothing has been more variously characterized, 

 nor less accurately defined, than the old genus of Mnium, first 

 established by Dillenius. The wanderings of the human mind 

 in pursuit of truth are amusing and instructive, let the subject 

 of its speculations be what it Avill ; in natural science especially 

 they always lead to good. That wisdom so conspicuous to the 

 most careless observer of creation at large, condescends to dis- 

 play itself with more effect and precision in proportion to the 

 ardour and accuracy of our inquiries ; and the humblest moss 

 affords no less instruction to the philosophical student of order, 

 than satisfaction to the pious mind., Our time therefore may not 

 be ill bestowed in examining, first, the principles upon which 

 Dillenius founded this genus, and then in considering how those 

 principles, with other new ones discovered since, have led his 

 successors widely astray in various directions, till we shall find 

 the judgment of Dillenius confirmed, though upon principles to 

 which he was a stranger. 

 This accurate observer of Mosses gives, as the character of his 



Mnium, 



