ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
215 
Weissia (7 sp.). The fruit of Zi/godon gracilis is figured for the first 
time. The 11th family or Schistostegaceaa comprises a single species, 
the remarkable Scliistostega osmundacea, which is beautifully figured. 
Eabenhorst’s Cryptogamic Flora of Germany (Musci).^ — The 
first volume of the section of this work devoted to the Musci, by Herr 
K. G. Limpricht, is now completed. It comprises the Sphagnace®, 
AndresBacete, Archidiacese, and a portion of the BryineaB, viz. the 
Cleistocarpse and Stegocarpae (Acrocarpae), the last 3 parts (11-13) 
being devoted to the GrimmiaceaB and the completion of the PottiaceaB, 
The Ephemeraceae and the Phascaceae are included in the Cleistocarpae. 
The exhaustive character of the descriptions, both of the genera and 
species, and the beauty and accuracy of the numerous illustrations, 
render this one of the most important contributions made in recent 
years to bryological literature. The systematic portion is preceded by 
a general description of the structure and modes of reproduction of 
Mosses, and some practical hints as to their collection and preservation. 
Species of Sphagimm.j' — Herr E. Eussow returns to the controversy 
with Poll, and restates the arguments in favour of the inconstancy of 
the characters of the species of bog-moss. 
Characese. 
Characeae.J — M. I’Abbe Hy describes the modes of cortication and 
ramification in the Characeae, and also the characters which are useful 
for purposes of classification. Nitella may be easily distinguished by 
the caducous corona of the fruit being formed of ten cells, by the stem 
having no cortex and two branches in each axil, and by there being no 
stipules. In CJiara the corona of the fruit is persistent, and consists of 
five cells, the stem ordinarily has a cortex, and solitary branches at each 
node, and stipules are present. The principal difficulty consists, how- 
ever, in the position of Chara stelligera, which has the fruit of a true 
Cliara with the vegetative organs of Nitella. In order to meet this 
difficulty the author has proposed for it a new genus Nitellopsis. 
Pericarp of Charace8e.§ — Prof. O. Nordstedt has examined the 
structure of the pericarp of the fruit in the greater number of known 
species of Cliara, Nitella, Tolypella, LicJinotliamnus, and Lamprotliamnus ; 
and classifies it under a number of types, according to the structure of 
its external layer. This may be quite smooth, or granulated or warted 
in a variety of ways, or with reticulate elevations and pits between 
them. In Chara the two layers of which the pericarp is composed are 
usually either both smooth or both similarly ornamented, though this is 
not always the case. 
A new species, Tolypella hispanica, is described from Spain. 
* Limpricht, ‘Die Laubmoose Deutschlands, Oesterreichs u, d. Schweiz,’ Ite 
Abtheil., Leipzig, 1890, 836 pp. and 211 figs. 
t Bot. Ceiitralbl., xl. (1889) pp. 417-24. Cf. this Journal, 1888, p. 775. 
+ Bull. Soc. Bot. France, xxxvi. (1889) pp. 393-8, 
§ Lunds Univ. Arsskr., xxv. (1889) 40 pp. and 1 pi. 
