Gymnostomum,-] GYMNOSTOMI. 17 



larity; as in Leptostomum of Mr. Brown, and Drepanophyllum 

 of Richard, in Hook. Musci Exotici. Here the character comes so 

 near to that which we have been describing to exist in most or all 

 of the true Gymnostoma, that for our own parts we do not see 

 how it can advantageously be taken into account in constituting a 

 generic character. 



In offering these remarks, we are of course considering the 

 Mosses solely under the artificial arrangement in which the peri- 

 stome holds the first place. In looking upon many of the plants 

 above alluded to in what concerns their natural disposition ; then 

 assuredly, Drepanophyllum, (Edipodium and Leptostomum will be 

 far removed from the great mass of the Gymnostoma. 



* Stems elongated, branched. 



1. G. lapponicum ; leaves linear-lanceolate crisped when dry, 

 those of the perichsetium broadly ovate convolute, capsule tur- 

 binate sulcated. (TAB. VI.) 



Gymnostomum lapponicum. Hedw. St. Cr. v. 3. t. 5. A. Smith, 

 Fl Brit. p. 1167. Engl Sot. t. 2216. Moug. et Nestl. n. 309. Drum- 

 mond, Muse. Scot. v. I. n. 7. Hook. Fl. Scot. P. II. p. 122. Nees et 

 Hornsch. Bryol. Germ. v. 1. p. 180. t. 11. / 27. Am. Disp. Muse, 

 p. 9. 



Anictangium lapponicum. Hedw. Sp. Muse. p. 40. Schwaegr. Suppl. 

 v. I. p. 26. Funck, Deutschl. Moose, t. 5. n. 3. 

 Schistidium striatum. Brid. Meth. p. 22. 

 Bryum lapponicum. Dicks. PL Crypt. Fasc. 4. p. 10. 

 HAB. On rocks in alpine situations. Abundant in the 

 crevices of the schistose rocks near the summits of the 

 Scottish mountains. 



This and the following species in their elongated and ramified 

 stems have the habit of Anictangium^ and distinct perichsetial 

 leaves. The Calyptra is, however, dimidiate, and hence we 

 prefer retaining them in the genus Gymnostomum. The leaf is 

 dotted, the nerve pale. 



The present individual was long supposed to be of rare oc- 

 currence ; but those Botanists who are in the habit of visiting 

 the summits of the high mountains in Scotland, have no diffi- 

 culty in discovering this elegant little moss, nestled, as it were, 

 in the shady clefts of moist rocks, in such situations as will 



B 



