232 MR. G. E. HUNT ON MOSSES NEW TO BRITAIN. 



Schimper has lately discovered to have the peristome of a 

 true Tortula, but so fragile that it has until lately escaped 

 notice, falling off almost invariably with the operculum. 

 It was formerly called Pottia cavifolia, var. gracilis. 

 Pottia, again, merges, through Pottia minutula and Ana- 

 calypta Starkeana (which, indeed, may prove to be one 

 species), into the latter genus. In many also of the 

 mosses fruit is very rare ; and this makes the task of dis- 

 crimination more difficult, and, in the case of new species, 

 more uncertain, until after long and careful comparison. 

 A great amount of light, however, has been thrown on the 

 subject through Dr. Schimper^s invaluable publications; 

 and through the liberality of our continental friends, spe- 

 cimens (which are certainly far more valuable than even 

 the best descriptions) are more easily obtainable than for- 

 merly. Of the 75 species considered to be well- authenti- 

 cated as correct and new, 20 are mentioned in ' Berkeley's 

 Handbook,^ published in 1863. 



Andreaea crassinervia,^r. 'Nea.ilj allied to A.rupestriSyJj. 

 {A. Rothii, Wils. Bry. Brit.). Common on rocks. The 

 question rather seems to be, where in Britain the true 

 A. rupestris occurs. 



Andrecea falcata, Sell. Allied to the preceding. Disco- 

 vered on rocks at Cryb-d-Yscil, Snow don, by Dr. Schimper, 

 June 1865. In Scotland, on hills near Callendar, by Mr. 

 A. M'Kinlay. 



Andreaea alpestris, Sch. In Scotland, with the preceding, 

 by Mr. A. M'Kinlay. 



Sphagnum, recurvum^ . Beauv. {S. Mougeotii, Sch.) . Allied 

 to S. cuspidatwn, but distinguished from it by its branch- 

 leaves, recurved when dry, and elliptical, not attenuated 

 towards the apex. It usually grows out of the water, whilst 

 S. cuspidatum is almost submerged. The two species, how- 

 ever, in the same circumstances, retain all their specific 

 characters. Common in bogs throughout Britain, but 



