MUSCINE^. 
13 
or two species only ( Bryum , Trichos tomum, Rhacomitrium, Minum, 
Leskea, etc.). Bartramidula Wilsoni, a species only collected in 
Ireland hitherto, occurred in small quantity at Yun-Nan. Several 
new species are described. 
The last-named species of moss is not, as stated by M. Bescherelle, 
confined to Ireland. It was first collected thereby Wilson, but, as 
specimens in the Kew Herbarium show, has since been found in N. 
Wales, Scotland (Clova), and also at Fernando Po, where it was 
collected by Mann. 
Ortliotrichum obtusifolium, Schrad. — This rare moss was collected 
by Mr. Barnes near Abbey Bridge, Yorkshire, during a recent 
excursion of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. 
The July number of the “ Irish Naturalist ” contains an article 
on the Hepaticae of King’s and Queen’s Counties by David 
M’Ardle ; also the discovery of Hypnum jilicinum, var. vallis- 
clausce , Brid., a new record for Ireland, by the Rev. H. W. Lett. 
F. Stephani, Colenso’s New Zealand Hepaticae (Linn. Journ., 
No. 20]). Hepaticae Africanae (continued), 3 pi. (Hedwigia, 
1892, p. 120). 
NEW OR CRITICAL BRITISH ALGiE. 
By E. A. Batters, LL.B., F.L.S. 
Ascophyllum Mackaii. Holm, et Batt. f. Robertsoni, 
Batt. 
Amongst the specimens of Algae sent to me for identification in 
the autumn of the year 1891 by Mr. David Robertson, of 
Cumbrae, was one from Loch Ranza, Arran, which at first sight I 
took to be a barren specimen of Pelvetia canaliculata. In the 
letter which accompanied the specimen, however, Mr. Robertson 
explained that he found the plant in a quiet sheltered bay, growing 
in large, roundish, unattached masses lying on the muddy sand at 
a level below that at which Pelvetia is usually found. I conse- 
quently came to the conclusion that the plant was a form of 
Ascophyllum Mackaii, and in the hope of obtaining fruited speci- 
mens, and thus settling the identification of the plant, I asked Mr. 
Robertson to send me fresh specimens at various seasons. This he 
has most obligingly done, and in May of the present year sent me 
a quantity of fruited specimens, which prove beyond a doubt that 
the plant is an Ascophyllum closely related to A. Mackaii, but 
differing from the typical form of that species in many and not 
unimportant particulars. 
Of Ascophyllum Mackaii itself, although discovered as long ago 
as 1805, little is known, and more than a doubt has been expressed 
as to its right to specific rank. Prof. J. G. Agardh, in his 
“ Species Genera et Ordines Algarum,” Yol. i., p. 206, adopts his 
