134 



The Naturalist. 



angular than in that species. From the varieties of A . palustre which 

 resemble it in habit, A. turgidum may be known by the leaves being 

 convex and not depressed at the base near the nerve. In Aulacomnion 

 palustre the leaves are much longer and more tapering, the broadest 

 diameter being usually rather below the middle of the leaf. The 

 leaves are spreading when moist, but when dry each leaf becomes 

 spirally twisted, and the back of the leaf near the nerve is seen to be 

 depressed or concave. 



The occurrence of this species in Yorkshire is of some little 

 interest, because the plant has hitherto been considered to be almost 

 exclusively a northern species, occurring in Greenland, Norway, 

 Sweden, and Lapland, usually in company with other northern species 

 such as Paludella squarrosa and .Hypnum nitens. It has however been 

 recorded from the Styrian Alps at an elevation of 2100 feet, but i 

 a sterile condition. 



In the " Bryologia Europoea," Prof. Schimper describes the leave 

 of Aulacomnion turgidum as perfectly smooth. I find, however, hot' 

 in specimens collected by him, and in those gathered in Britain, that 

 this remark can apply only to the upper leaves, the lower being more 

 or less papillose, although to a much less extent than in A. palustre. 



PHCENOLOGIOAL OBSERVATIONS ON MOSSES. 

 By Geo. Brook, ter., F.L.S. 



A RECENT number of the " Revue Bryologique " contains a paper by 

 Mr. H. W. Arnell on the above subject. The plan adopted is similar 

 to that already in use in this country for other branches of natural 

 history. Thirty-three species of widely distributed mosses are chosen 

 for observation, and records are required on two points : first, as to 

 when the moss blooms, and second, as to when the fruit ripens. Mr. 

 Arnell considers a moss in bloom when in at least two " flowers " one 

 or two archegonia are opened, while the others are still closed and 

 uncoloured. If archegonia are not accessible, the antheridia may be 

 observed, but care should be taken to see that the antherozoids have 

 really swarmed, and not to be satisfied with an appearance of full 

 development when the antheridium may not open for months after- 

 wards. 



Mr. Arnell's plan of observing approximately the date of blooming 

 is to collect specimens weekly or fortnightly about the supposed time 

 of fertilisation, and then at leisure to determine the time. Mr. Arnell 



