456 
NEW AKRANGEMENT OF 
of less importance, when we consider that there is almost 
every gradation from the broad and tabular termination of 
this part in S. rubi'iim and luteum, to the simpler one in 
*S'. WormsMoldii. We have, however, even in this last, seen 
it dilated at the apex ; but they were rare instances. 
In our character of the genus we have described the 
theca as subcylindrical. This is true in a general point of 
view, but in particular instances liable to variation. Thus, 
in S. tenue^ it is occasionally oblong, or even subglobose : 
in S. WormsMoldii often contracted both at its orifice and 
base, and in the arctic North American specimens so as 
to be almost globose. The apophysis assumes various ap- 
pearances, though nearly constant in each individual spe- 
cies. Its colour is almost always green in the young state, 
and as constantly changes in maturity. In aS*. vasculosum 
its surface is singularly rugose or undulated, a character 
altogether omitted in Hedwig's figure (St. Crypt.), and 
even not sufficiently indicated in Hookee's superior repre- 
sentation (in Muse. Brit.) This remarkable feature we 
have observed in another plant we have found on Ben 
Lawers, of which the plate of ^S^. rugositm, in English 
Botany " (t. 2094.), is so faithful and characteristic, that 
we have no doubt whatever in referring it to that species. 
In most species the apophysis is of a sufficiently rigid 
nature to retain its form to the last. S. ruhrum and luteum^ 
however, are possessed of one so large, and, at the same 
time, of so delicate and membranaceous a structure, that it 
speedily becomes collapsed, and the base of the apophysis 
is brought into contact with the base of the capsule. 
The sporular sac in the Splaclma (and probably in all 
other genera, as already mentioned under Dipht/scium) is, 
in the young state, supported by a pillar formed, as it were, 
by an internal continuation of the fruit-stalk. This must, 
m Sphchna, pass, of course, through the apophysis, and is 
