4i8 ON THE BUXBAUMIA APHYLLA. 



By carefully removing the soil and fibres, it is not 

 difficult to make a longitudinal section ; which, if it 



itself in the fleshy substance of the root, which is 

 considerably thicker than the seta. Towards the 

 upper part, the root is generally solid, but towards 

 the extremity, hollow, (fig. 8.) 



In order to avoid the disadvantages that result from 

 changing the trivial names of plants it will be scarce- 

 ly necessary to change that of Buxbaumia; although, 

 to some, it may appear absurd to call a plant aphyl- 

 lous, when leaves have been actually detected upon 

 it. At the same time, these leaves are so complete- 

 ly inconspicuous to the naked eye, that the absur- 

 dity almost vanishes. Should another trivial name, 

 however, be considered essential, Buocbaumia acau- 

 lis, would be as appropriate as was 2?. aphylla ori- 

 ginally. 



Edinburgh, 25. Bucclf,uch Place, 

 October 30. 1820. 



