103 — 
The researches of M. Meylan, in the Jura, on the Sphagna of the acuti- 
folium group (Rev. Bry., 1906, p. 17, etseq. ) have, I think, thrown some 
doubt on the permanent validity of some of the species recently put for- 
ward in this group. Herr Roth, however, is fully aware of the unsatisfac- 
tory character of some of the species, since he draws attention to the fact 
that most of the species are connected by intermediate forms. Whatever 
view may ultimately be adopted in reference to the species within this group, 
students will be grateful to Herr Roth for bringing together and collating 
the views of various authors on the modern lines, where collation presents 
more than usual difficulty. 
The plates give the general facies of the plant, with details of the leaves, 
cells and pore structure and add very materially to the usefulness of the 
work. A Key is given to the species of the cymbifolium group, but this sys- 
tem is not extended to the other groups, which, indeed, for the most part, do 
not readily lend themselves to this method of treatment. The descriptions 
of the species are carefully done and the whole distribution of the species is 
given, so far as it is known to the author, and, as in most cases, the species 
are common to Europe and Norch America, the book will be found useful by 
students on both sides of the Atlantic. Four new species are added to the 
list of the European Sphagna, bringing the total number up to fifty-three. 
The new species are: S. Schliephackei (Roll), S. pseudorecurvum (Roll) 
and S. pseudocuspidatum Roth, of the cuspidatum group, and S. pungens 
Roth, of the subsecundum group. Moreover, S. rufescens Bry. Germ, is 
split up into two species: 5 . rufescens Bry. Germ, and S. cornutum, Roth; 
the latter characterized by numerous ringed commissural pores, like strings 
of pearls, both on the inner and outer surfaces of the leaves. 
Purists in the matter of language will be glad to find that the somewhat 
mongrel name, “ crassicladumf has given way to the older name turgi- 
dum C. ,M., while many will be pleased to find that the familiar S. laricinum 
Spruce, has been re-instated. 
In conclusion the author explains a simple method of staining by the use 
of Methyl violet, which acts very rapidly and enables the more intimate 
structure and position of the spores to be readily observed. 
Wm. Edw. Nicholson, 
Lewes, August, 1906. 
SULLIVANT MOSS CHAPTER NOTES. 
I shall be very grateful if members of the Chapter will send me complete 
data of all the New England specimens of Ramalinas in their Herbar- 
iums with extreme measurements of thallus, width and length of each species 
or form and if possible with remarks on distribution and characteristic growth, 
substratum, etc. in their particular region. Proper acknowledgment will be 
made for all such aid which is asked for by Dec. 15, 1906. 
Address Mr. Reginald Heber Howe, Jr. 
Middlesex School, Concord, Mass. 
