40 APLQPERISTOMI. [Splachnum. 



Dickson's S. Turnerianum is a variety depending upon age and 

 particular circumstances of season and accident. The whole 

 plant is smaller, and the apophysis of the capsule narrower than 

 in the common appearance. In both, the stems are short, often 

 scarcely any, the fruitstalks two and even three inches in 

 length. The Apodanthus of M. de la Pylaie is a genus consti- 

 tuted of the capsule of this Moss which had fallen to the 

 ground, as we have ascertained by an examination of authentic 

 specimens. 



* * Leaves obtuse. 



6. S. vasculosum ; leaves rhombo-rotundate obtuse, the nerve 

 disappearing below the point, apophysis globose much wider 

 than the capsule. (SUPPL. TAB. I.) 



Splachnum vasculosum. Hedw. St. Cr. v. 2. t. 15. Schwaegr. Suppl 

 v. \.p. 51. Grev. FL Crypt. Scot. t. 179. Arn.^Disp. Muse. p. 12. 

 Brid. Meth. p. 107. Hook. FL Scot. P. II. p. 125. 



S. rugosum. Smithy FL Brit. p/ 1173. ? (not Engl Bot.?J Am. 

 Disp. Muse. p. 12. Brid. Meth. p. 107.? 



HAB. Discovered by Mr. Don in Scotland. In great 

 abundance in boggy places at the sources of springs at 

 an elevation of about 3000 feet above the level of the 

 sea; on Ben More in Glen Dochart, and bearing fructi- 

 fication in great profusion ; and in similar situations in 

 equal altitudes on most of the Breadalbane mountains. 

 In Clova, Mr. Drummond, but never bearing capsules. 

 This is perhaps the finest and most beautiful of all the 

 British Mosses. We have seen it covering a spot of ground 

 many feet in diameter with its brilliant green foliage, and 

 spotted with its large, deep rich brown, shining capsules. The 

 similarity of its foliage to that of Bryum punctatum may, per- 

 haps, cause it to be passed by, when barren, as that plant ; for 

 the leaves are equally large and glossy and reticulated. The 

 stems are often from three to five inches in length, giving ont a 

 disagreeable and fetid smell when fresh. The nerve of the leaf 

 always disappears before the point. The seta or fruitstalk 

 short and succulent ; and very fragile in the act of being dried. 



Dr. Greville mentions, in his Cryptogamic Scottish Flora* 

 having found upon Ben Lawers a Splachnum resembling vascu- 



