560 
The results are of interest because of the 
longevity shown for many of the germs; 
and because of the indicated possibility of 
keeping typical cultures in normal form as 
to gross characters and as to the morphol- 
ogy of the individual germs for long periods 
of time. 
‘Suggestion for a more Satisfactory Clas- 
sification of the Pleurocarpous Mosses,’ by 
A. J. Grout, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
It is axiomatic that the classification of 
plants having an alternation of generations 
should be based on both gametophyte and 
sporophyte character. Schimper and nearly 
all modern authors except Lindberg and 
Braithwaite give undue weight to sporo- 
phyte characters, as in the Jsothecie, where 
a heterogeneous collection of plants is put 
in the same subfamily because of their 
sporophyte character alone. Lindberg 
while classifying more scientifically often 
overestimates single characters, e. g., when 
he puts Porotrichum (Thamnium) with the 
Neckeracece because of its leaf character, all 
its other characters indicating a close rela- 
tionship to the Hypneze. 
There are two characters of the pleuro- 
cearpous mosses whose importance in classi- 
fication is generally underestimated: the 
presence or absence of a central strand in 
the stem and, the presence and degree of 
‘development of fine transverse lines on the 
Jower dorsal plates of the teeth of the peri- 
-stome. The latter are present and well de- 
‘veloped in the subfamilies Hypnes and 
‘'Brachythecie. Also in the genera JIsothe- 
«etum, Porotrichum, Pterogonium and Leseura, 
which are closely related and constitute a 
separate subfamily differing from the above 
mentioned subfamilies in leaf structure. 
These lines are as well developed in Thu- 
ridium and allied genera of the Leskeacez 
‘(as usually constituted) as in the Hypnes 
and taken in connection with the perfect 
‘Hypnaceous peristome indicates that these 
forms are at least as closely related to the 
SCIENCE. 
[N. S. Vou. X. No. 251. 
Hypnez as to the Leskeacez. In the latter 
family these lines are vestigial and the 
whole peristome degenerate so that Thu- 
idium must either be an intermediate form 
or a separate derivative from the Hypna- 
ceous type. The presence of a perfect peri- 
stome with these lines well developed in the 
Pterygophyllacez indicates that this family 
is closely related to the Hypnez. 
The entire absence of these lines in the 
Fontinalacez, Neckeraceze, and Climacium 
taken in connection with other characters 
indicates that these forms constitute a 
group by themselves, coordinate with the 
forms previously mentioned and possibly de- 
rived independently from the acrocarpous 
mosses. The anomalies of the Fabroniacez 
may possibly indicate a third similar group. 
The central strand is the physiological 
homologue of the vascular bundle and for 
many reasons would seem to be of a far 
more important character than the length 
and shape of the capsule, yet in our present 
system it is given far less weight. The 
presence of a central strand is usually cor- 
related with the presence of a costa in the 
leaves except in aquatic or subaquatic 
species. This indicates that Amblystegiwm 
and Plagiothecium are not naturally grouped 
and must also modify the present systems 
in many cases. 
The author wishes it distinctly under- 
stood that the above statements are thrown 
out as suggestions, because his knowledge of 
forms is far too incomplete to warrant any 
final statements. 
‘Notes Concerning the Study of Lichen 
Distribution in the Upper Mississippi Val- 
ley,’ by Bruce Fink, Fayette, Iowa. 
A brief report of area covered, data as to 
habitat, etc., and a list of species examined. 
The author pointed out the incompleteness 
of recorded observations and suggested the 
noting of fuller data in connection with the 
collection of specimens. 
‘Botanical Teaching in Secondary Schools.’ 
