74 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH MOSSES. 



adopt the divisions given in Schimper's last work, I retain 

 the name of Hypnum as generic, a course which has also been 

 followed in Wilson's 'Bryologia/ As regards species, I 

 conceive that they have been multiplied far beyond the true 

 requisitions of science. In a very few cases the branches are 

 flattened, but an examination of the peristome will at once 

 show their true affinities. 



I have as nearly as possible followed the arrangement of 

 Wilson, which accords wonderfully as to its divisions with the 

 generic sections of Schimper, a circumstance which is, to a 

 certain extent, a proof that these are natural. In a few in- 

 stances only I have followed Schimper in eliminating a few 

 species, where the characters really seemed good, and in bring- 

 ing back one or two species which seem to have been separated 

 contrary to nature. As the genus Hypnum is retained in its 

 integrity, I have followed very nearly the order prescribed by 

 Wilson, though the last species in the genus are more nearly 

 allied to the preceding genera than the first. If the contrary 

 order were taken, we should have the inconvenience of giving 

 first those species which depart most from the generic cha- 

 racter, though perhaps the first in point of dignity. 



CONSPECTUS OP THE DIVISIONS OF THE G-ENUS STPNUM. 



Sect. I. Leaves spreading in all directions, not decidedly complanate, secund 

 or assurgent. 

 A. Stem creeping, irregularly branched, or occasionally arched and pinnate. 

 * Leaves acute ; nerve reaching at least halfway, except in two species, 

 t Leaves plicate, sulcate, or decidedly striate, 

 tt Leaves even, or only slightly striate. 

 a. Eruitstalk scabrous. 

 J Lid conical or acute. 

 XX Lid rostrate. 

 h. Pruitstalk even, without any roughness. 

 +- Lid rostrate, 

 -f — i- Lid cqnical or acute. 

 * # Leaves acute, mostly squarrose, mostly short-nerved or norveless 



