48 



THE SPHAGNACE^ OR PEAT-MOSSES OF 



\ 



Finland specimens, however, distinctly show the transition between 

 it and the var. platyphyllum, while the structure of the stem and 

 leaves agrees perfectly with that of the other forms, and thus con- 

 firms the accuracy of Professor Lindberg's diagnosis. Milde's 

 plant is doubtfully referred here by Lindberg, and it is very desirable 

 that original specimens should be examined, as Mr. Boswell sends 

 me a form of Sph. subsecundum, which is almost equally free from 

 branches ; this may possibly be a seedling condition, growing with 

 closely aggregated stems, and identical with Milde's specimen. 



7. Sphagnum subsecundum, Nees, v. Esenb. 



Pl. IX. AND X. 



Dioicous, dull green, olivaceous or rufescent ; the stem dark 

 brown, with a single layer of cuticular cells. Stem leaves small, 

 broadly ovate, very minutely fimbriate at apex. Branch leaves 

 more or less subsecund, broadly acuminato-elliptic, 3-5 toothed at 

 apex ; hyaline cells very small, with numerous minute pores at 

 margins ; chlorophyllose cells central, enclosed by the hyaline, 

 compressed. Perichaetial bracts oblong, acutely pointed. 



Synon. — Sph. subsecundum, Nees, in Sturm's Deutschl. Fl. Crypt, fasc. 17 (18 19). 

 FuNCK, Moos-Taschenherb. p. 4, t. 2 (182 1). Nees et Hornsch. Bryol. Germ. i. p. 

 17. t. 3, f. 7 (1823). Brid. Bryol. Univ. i. p. 8 (1826). HOben. Muse. Germ. p. 26 

 (1833). C. MtiLL. Synops. i. p. loo (1849). Schimp. Torfm. p. 74, t. 22 (1858) ; 

 Synops. p. 682 (i860), et ed. 2, p. 843 (1876). Lindb. in Ofv. K. Vet. Ak. Forh. 

 xix. p. 141. n. II (1862). Hartm. Skand. Fl. ed. 9, ii. p. 82 (1864). Russow, 

 Torfm. p. 71 (1865). ScHUEPH. in Verb. Z. B. Gesel. Wien, 1865, p. 406. Fl. 

 Danica, t. 2754, excl. f. 6 et v. (1867). Klingg. in Schr. der K. Phys. CEk. Gesel. 

 zu Konigs. 1872, p. 8. Milde, Bryol. Siles. p. 392 (1869). Braithw. Sphag. Brit. 

 Exsic. n. 15 (1877). HoBK. Syn. Br. Moss. p. 25 (1873). 



Sph. contortum var. /3. subsecmidum, Wils. Bry. Brit. p. 22, t. Ix. (1855). 



Dioicous ; tall, slender, in soft tufts of various colours, glaucous 

 green, yellowish green, brownish or ochraceous. Stem solid, brown 

 or blackish, somewhat glossy, with a single thin layer of cuticular 

 cells without pores ; those of the peripheral layers deep brown. 

 Stem leaves small, from a broad base, broadly ovate, minutely 

 auricled, cucuUate at apex, but finally flattened, and very minutely 

 fringed ; bordered by four rows of extremely narrow cells ; upper 

 hyaline cells broader, densely fibrose and porose, the lower longer 

 and narrower without fibres and pores, or sometimes furnished with 

 them to the base. 



Ramuli. about four in a fascicle, 2-3 arcuato-patulous, 1-2 



