640 BRYOLOGY OF souTHPORT. [December, 



of their leaves. The former was in a beautiful state of perfection ; 

 the latter, except in some few instances, where it grew in more 

 exposed situations, was not generally sufficiently ripe for good 

 specimens. After having sated ourselves with an ample stock of 

 these, we proceeded in our walk. We soon met with Meesia uli- 

 ffinosa, a most beautiful plant, which grows in great profusion, 

 in large and conspicuous patches, visible at a considerable dis- 

 tance, and very tall and luxuriant, but at this season much too 

 far advanced, the fruit withered and bleached by the scorching 

 rays of the sun. In the middle of June it must be a most beau- 

 tiful sight, at which time the capsules are quite mature. Am- 

 blyodon dealbatus was also met with in abundance ; it was like- 

 wise long gone by ; it is in perfection at the same time as the 

 Meesia, as also Hypnuin polygamum, which is very common. 

 Hypnum elodes and lycopodioides are also abundant in the wet 

 and swampy hollows ; both barren. Hypnum commutatum, ^ con- 

 densatum, was also abundant in similar situations. Perhaps 

 there are few Mosses which have given rise to so much confu- 

 sion amongst bryologists as this. For many years it has grown 

 in several localities in this neighbourhood, and has always, until 

 very recently, been considered as the typical form of Hypnum 

 aduncum, which however is a very different and totally distinct 

 species; and in one locality near Manchester, Hale Moss, the 

 two plants grow together, both fructifying freely ; and when thus 

 seen, and attentively studied, can scarcely again be confounded 

 or misunderstood. The plant under consideration appears to 

 possess many features which would seem to entitle it to rank as 

 a distinct species, as already observed by Mr. Wilson, in his ad- 

 mirable ' Bryologia Britannica,^ a monument of patient industry 

 and laborious research, and the greatest boon to all lovers of 

 these interesting objects. He has there fully and most accu- 

 rately described the differences which characterize them, and I 

 can only refer your readers to his descriptions, amply confirmed 

 by my own observations and those of others, as being much more 

 lucid and clear than any remarks of mine. The circumstance of 

 its occurring so frequently in localities at so low a level, and es- 

 pecially so near the sea, would seem to strengthen its claims' very 

 forcibly to the right of being considered as distinct, and I think, 

 on reconsideration, that the question will be ultimately decided 

 in its favour. It has also been mistaken for H. revolvens, and 



