48 
NEW ARRANGEMENT OF 
(Weber and Mohr), the Weissia trichodes of Hook, and 
Tayl., and Grimmia trichodes of Smith, which we con- 
ceive to belong to this genus. 
We shall conclude our observations, by noticing, that Sir 
James Edward Smith alludes to the Hyssop of Solomon 
being contained in this genus, and states it (according to 
the Linnean Herbarium) to be G.Jhsciculare*, Weber 
and Mohr do not seem certain as to the species; and 
Palissot de Beauvois, without assigning any reason, 
changes it into a Phascum, as, when speaking of the 
Phasca, he observes, " parmi lesquelles on croit recon- 
noitre FHyssope de Salomon." The last notice of this sub- 
ject is to be found in Mr Gray's extraordinary work on 
British Plants^ where he gravely adds, and with his usual 
brevity, the following synonym, under Gymnostomum fas- 
ciculare: " The hyssop that groweth on the wall. — -English 
Bible." ! 
We shall only add to the above, conceiving the whole to 
be a matter of mere speculation, on which every one has a 
right to say what he pleases, and without much danger of 
refutation, that it is as probable that the hyssop may be nei- 
ther a species of the genus Hyssopus nor of Gymnostomum. 
If we examine the New Testament, we shall perceive, that at 
the time of our Saviour''s crucifixion, when he thirsted, that 
they filled a sponge with vinegar, and placed it on hyssops 
" Jo"(r<yVft» TTsg^^gj/TS^," in order to extend it to him, (St John, 
eh. xix. v. 29.) Now, Matthew uses a different expression ; 
he says, they put the sponge on a reed, " Koct TFi^iki? KotXei- 
fia>;' (Matth. ch. xxvii. v. 48.) And Mark, (ch. xv. v. 36.,) 
confirms this, " Tne^ikti rs fcxXufia.'''' From these authorities, 
one might infer, either, that hyssop was a reed, or, as KaXx^o^ 
• Fl. Brit. p. 1166. and Eng. Bot. t. 1245. 
2 
