124 MR. A. MONTGOMERY BELL OX [May I9°4, 



The evidence yielded by the mosses is more remarkable, and 

 strengthens to certainty the inference derived from the flowering- 

 plants and animals. For identification of the moss-collection I 

 have to thank, first, Mr. A. Gepp, F.L.S., of the British Museum 

 (Natural History), who kindly looked over the first examples found ; 

 and, secondly, Mr. H. X. Dixon, M.A., F.L.S., of Northampton, who 

 took great pains to examine and name a large number of specimens 

 placed in his hands. The following list consists of Mr. Dixon's 

 verifications : — 



Amblystegium JUicinum, De Not. Hypnum aduncum, Hedw. 



A. Kockii, B. & S. H. aduncum, var. pseudofluitans. 



A. serpens, B. &. S. H. capillifolium, Warnst. 



Aulacomnium palustre, Schwaegr. H. chrysophylbim, Boisd. 



Brachytkecium glareosum, B. & S. H. commutation, Hedw. 



llr. rutabulum, B. k S. H. cordifolium, Hedw. 



Bryum erythrocarpum, Schwaegr. H. cuspidaium, Schreb. 



Camptotheciwm nitens, Sehp. H. exannulatum, Giirab. 



Climacium dendroides, W. & W. H. falcatum, Brid. 



Dichodontium. pellucidum, Schp. H. fluitans, L. 



Eurhynchium Schwartzii, Hobk. H. fluifans, var. falcifolium, Btem. 



Ku. spedosum, Schp. H. giganteum, Schp. 



Homalia trichomanoides, Brid. H. intermedium, Lind. 



Milium cfffine, Bland. H. lycopodioides, Schwaegr. (doubt- 



Mii. rostratum. ful). 



Vhilonotis fontana, var. amplirctis, H. revolvens, Sow. 



Dix. H. Sendtneri, Schp. (prabable). 



Tkuidium decipiens, De Not. H. stramineum, Dicks. 

 Th. recognition, Lindb. 

 Webera albicans, Schp. 

 W. nutans, Hedw. 



The list is interesting, and points to one of the largest collections 

 of mosses yet secured from a Pleistocene deposit. About two-thirds 

 of these mosses may still be found in the neighbourhood. This 

 corresponds with the flowering-plants. On the other hand, Hgpnum 

 GapilUfolium, AVarnst., is not now found in Britain, and has only 

 once been obtained before, from a deposit at Mundesley, where 

 it was got from the Arctic Freshwater-Bed at a depth of 59 feet. 

 This species of moss now occurs in Siberia, in Central and Northern 

 Europe, and in America in Vancouver and other northern regions. 

 It is not, however, recognized as a boreal plant. 



ThuicUinn decipiens, De Not., is perhaps equally important. It is 

 a rare moss, found in wet places on mountains, and in this country 

 confined to the Highlands of Scotland. These are the two most 

 important ; one denoting an Alpine plant, another a plant no longer 

 British, and closely approaching the Alpine flora. 



Of the others the following are no longer found in the county 

 of Oxford : — Camptothecium nitens, Schp., Dichodontium pellucidum, 

 Schp., Hypnum giganteum, Schp., H. revolvens, Sow ., H. stramineum, 

 Dicks, which all occur in mountainous or subalpine regions. 



Seven at least of the species identified no longer grow in the 

 county : one has left Britain, and a second has retired to the Scottish 

 Highlands. 



Some conclusions doubtless may be legitimately drawn from these 



