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THE GENUS HUSNOTIELLA CARDOT 



R. S. Williams. 



This genus of the Pottiaceae was based on a moss collected by C. G. Pringle 

 in the State of Mexico where it was found growing on walls of masonry. It was 

 also collected by Barnes and Land on masonry and brick walls and on or near the 

 brick borders of a flower bed with more or less earth about it. This last collec- 

 tion is called a form of the others and has rather longer, straighter leaves. The 

 genus is described as having no peristome and is compared with Gyroweisia, from 

 which it is certainly distinct, as pointed out, by the revolute leaf border. Two 

 species are included, H. revoluta and H. Palmeri, both of which on careful exami- 

 nation show a more or less developed peristome, consisting of a rather delicate 

 membrane scarcely projecting above the rim of capsule and often bearing ir- 

 regular teeth extending to a little above the more or less persistent annulus. 

 The peristome is much like that of Didymodon mexicanus, but not quite so well 

 developed, and in view of this fact and also that the leaves are just about those 

 of a Didymodon I scarcely see how the genus can be maintained as distinct. 

 Moreover H. Palmeri seems to be only a slightly better developed form of H. 

 revoluta, with, on the average, a little longer, more pointed leaves. In both col- 

 lections specimens occur with leaves precisely alike both in size and leaf apex; 

 cross sections of leaves also show no differences. 



I believe the plants should be known as follows: 



Didymodon revolutus (Card.) R. S. W. Comb. Nov. 



Hiisnotiella revoluta Card. Rev. Bryol. 36: 71. 1909. 



Husnotiella Palmeri Card. Rev. Bryol. 37: 121. 1910. 



In this connection I may add that Didymodon stenopyxis Card. Rev. Bryol. 

 36: 84. 1909, is certainly not distinct from D. aeneiis (C. M.) Besch. Both, some- 

 times at least, have dioicous flowers. 



New York Botanical Garden. January 2, 1913. 



A MOSS "WASHING MACHINE" 

 H. S. Jewett, M.D. 



"Praeparire sauber! Rasen, denen viel Boden anhaftet, sind an Ort und 

 Stelle auszuwaschen. " (Limpricht Laubmoose, I: 70). 



The frequently occurring cases, in which it was impossible to carry out the 

 above sound advice, with the resulting pats of mud, where there should have 

 been a beautiful moss specimen, caused me to seek a more certain method of 

 getting rid of the dirt; one that would require neither squeezing nor much hand- 

 ling, thus obviating mutilation and at same time be applicable to the most 

 delicate plants. In this attempt I have been so successful that I now pub- 

 lish it and give to all lovers of mosses the right to make, use, or improve upon 

 my idea without other cost to them than that of making or having it made for 

 them. 



