THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 109 



Pogonatum Austro-alpinum (Cobberas) and Polytrichadelphu. 

 Arnoldi (Upper Yarra). Both discovered by Baron von Mueller.: 



Explanation of Technical Terms. 



Polytrichiim. — Many hairs. Alludes to the Calyptra. 



Theca, Urn, Capsule, Sporangium. — The spore-case, Sporangium, 

 has a restricted meaning, being applied more correctly to 

 the inner lining of the walls of the urn, covering the 

 columella. 



Apophysis. — A swelling at the base of the urn. 



Epiph-agm. — A membranous plate covering the peristome of 



Polytrichous mosses. 

 Columella. — A littls column. The firm centre from which the 



spore separates. 



Calyptra. — The membranous veil or hood covering the capsule 

 while in a young state. It is regarded as a convolute leaf 

 ruptured and carried up by the stalk. 



• Operculum. — The lid of the capsule. In most mosses it falls off 

 when ripe, leaving the peristome exposed, but in others, 

 which are indehiscent, it never falls off. 



Peristome, Peristomium. — The fringe of teeth or hairs which 

 surrounds the mouth of the capsule. 



Dimidiate. — Split half way up. Refers to the Calyptra. 



Perichaetial leaves. — A collection of minute, often membranous^; 

 leaves growing round the base of the seta. 



Hints to Collectors. 



Where to Look for Them. — On and in the crevices of rocks, on 

 logs, about the bases and roots of trees, on banks of watercourses, 

 lakes, lagoons, and waterholes, on the ground, from the low 

 lands to the summits of our highest mountains — both in wet and 

 dry localities, but more especially the former. New species are 

 more likely to be discovered on the low lands than on the high' 

 mountains. If you were to ask any gentleman in Melbourne the 

 best locality for mosses he would probably tell you that Gipps- 

 land was by far the best place, but this is certainly a mistaken 

 idea. In Gippsland, and in heavily-timbered districts generally, 

 the species are few, but very widely diffused. One gentleman 

 from England lately visiting the colonies has asserted that in the 

 course of one trip through that region he saw no less than 200 

 species. I have had five trips through Gippsland, making each 

 time a diligent search, and have only succeeded in gathering 

 thirty species, three only of which turned out to be new ; while 

 one trip to the Grampians increased my collection by thirty, and 



