IIEDWIGIA, 213 



the appearance of this curious Moss, especially its seeminf/l// 

 leafless state, and would only here draw the attention of our 

 readers to its curious capsule. Besides its oblique position, 

 this organ, instead of being, as in almost all other Mosses, 

 perfectly symmetrical and of uniform consistence in the sub- 

 stance of its walls, is formed of two sides of different ap- 

 pearance : the upper being flattened and of more delicate 

 structure, while tlie lower is convex, darker-coloured, and 

 of much firmer consistence. This gives it some resemblance 

 to the hoof of a horse, whence the name, of Greek derivation, 

 applied to it by Fabricius — Hljipopodiutn. 



B. indusiata, Brid., which British autliors have regarded 

 as the same plant, is now ranked as a species by Midler 

 and others. 



Section II. PLEUEOCARPI. 



Subsection 1. GYMNOSTOMI. 



HEDWIGIA, HooL (Hedwigia.) 



This name denotes its origin from the " prince of Musco- 

 logists,'' J. G. Hedwig, than whom no one more deserves a 

 fitting memorial of his labours. Ehrhart first appKed the 



