54 



THE SPHAGNACEyE OR PEAT-MOSSES OF 



concave, convolute above, very narrowly margined ; the apex 

 truncate, and with 5-6 irregular teeth ; the hyaline cells angulato- 

 fusiform, very prominent and confluent at the back, with annular 

 and spiral fibres, and a few large pores; chlorophyllose cells 

 slender, triangular, projecting between the hyaline at the concave 

 surface of leaf Capsules in the capitulum or upper fascicles, peri- 

 chcetium not separating, the upper bracts broadly oblong-ovate, 

 convolute, with 2-3 irregular teeth at apex, the lower cells 

 elongate hexagono-rhomboid, the upper normal, free from fibres 

 and pores. 



Male amentula short, thick, purple, placed in the coma ; the 

 bracts oblong, obtuse. 



Hab.— By moorland streams and sandy springs. 



N. America. — Mountains of N. Carolina (Gray) ; Tallulah Falls, Georgia 

 (Lesquereux). 



Professor Lindberg was the first to identify Sph. Millleri with 

 the American Sph. molle, and undoubtedly they only constitute a 

 single species, yet, as certain differences exist between them, I 

 have deemed it best still to maintain Sph. Miilleri as a variety. 



Taking the original plant issued in the Mnsci Alleghanienses as 

 the type, it presents a different aspect to Sph. Miilleri in that its 

 branch leaves are shorter, broader, more divergent, and slightly 

 squarrose, the stem leaves without fibres in the lower half, and the 

 plants more rigid and of a greener colour. The specimens are 

 without fruit, but, according to SuUivant's figure, the apex of the 

 perichsetial bracts is truncate and not acutely acuminate. As to 

 the dioicous position of the inflorescence, it is probable that some 

 error exists, as in Sph. Miilleri the male amentula are certainly very 

 rare, and appear to be of short duration ; I have observed them in 

 specimens received from Mr. Sim, and in these they were very 

 short, and of a rich purple colour. 



That Sullivant did not clearly understand his plant is evident, 

 as, in his two Exsiccata, forms of Sph. molle are referred to four 

 different species. 



Var. ^. Muelleri (Schimp.), Braithw. 



Pale whitish green, soft. Branches longer, patulous or ascend- 

 ing, the pendent branches slender, short. Stem leaves more 

 elongated, the hyaline cells strongly fibrose and porose except near 



■ 



[.. 



m\ 



