CLASSIFICATIOX. 61 



little closer inspection required, by those especially who have 

 been conversant with Dr. Hooker's system. For instance, 

 instead of the great separation between Gymnostomous 

 (Mosses without a peristome), and Peristomous (furnished 

 with one), we find in the same genus the two forms in sepa- 

 rate sections — " Eperistoraati" and "Peristomati."* Other 

 sections are formed according as the plants have leaves dis- 

 posed in two or more series, the areolation of these, and the 

 presence or absence of " intercellular ducts," and the cha- 

 racter of the fructification in a young state as moncecious 

 or dicEcious, i. e. have the " male and female" parts in the 

 the same or in separate individuals. 



We have thus briefly indicated the leading features of the 

 classification adopted by Dr. Miiller and other continental 

 botanists, hoping that many of our readers will be led to 

 proceed further in muscological research than this little 

 work can guide them. Undoubtedly, with the progress 

 made in this as well as other branches of botanical science 

 during the last few years, any future Muscologia Britannica 

 will be much modified in its arrangements by the discove- 

 ries made or making in the minute structures of the plants 

 of which it treats. 



* Those without, and those with, a peristome. 



