Sphagnum.] ,iv. musci. 401 
2. SPHAGNUM, Linn. 
Flaccid, white or pale-pink, branched, monoecious or dioecious mosses, 
growing in water bogs or wet woods ; branches fascicled or whorled. Leaves __ 
of very narrow long cells, forming a network, between whose meshes are 
larger thin- walled cells, often marked with a spiral line and pierced with large 
pores. Fruitstalk axillary, at first lateral, but by elongation of the receptacle 
apparently terminal (cladocarpous) . Capsule erect, dark-brown, without 
annulus or teeth. Operculum small, flattish. Calyptra rupturing transversely 
from the receptacle, the lower part adhering to the fruit ; antheridia subsphe- 
rical, as in Jungermanniae. 
A considerable genus of very variable mosses, found in all parts of the world, especially 
alpine and temperate, contributing extensively to the formation of peat. The species are 
most difficult ot determination, being variable in size and habit, and the specific characters 
are to a great extent founded on structural peculiarities, the relative constancy of which may 
be much overrated. Much stress is laid upon the presence or absence of spiral marks within 
the cells of various parts of the plant ; and on the number of series of cells forming the peri- 
phery (cortex) of the stem and branches. 
The genus itself forms an Order, distinct from that of mosses, in the opinion of many 
modern Cryptogamists, but though most peculiar in habit and mode of growth, and differing 
in so many details from all other mosses, I do not think that it should be so regarded, the 
essential structure of the organs of reproduction- being the same, and the range of variation 
amongst Musci in both habit and characters being very wide. 
Branches with one or two cortical layers of cells. 
Leaves ovate-acuminate 1. S. cuspidatum. 
Leaves subovate, obtuse or praemorse 2. S. subsecundum. 
Leaves obovate-oblong, obtuse, denticulate 3. S. novo-Zelandicum. 
Branches with three or more cortical layers of cells. 
Cells of branches with spiral fibres . 4. 5. cymbifolium. 
Cells of branches without spiral fibres. 
Stem-leaves fimbriate at the tip 5. S. fimbriatum. 
Leaves of branches ovate, obtuse 6. S. australe. 
Leaves of branches orbicular-ovate, obtuse 7- S. antarcticum. 
Leaves of branches ovate-lanceolate, acuminate 8 . S. acutifolium. 
1. S. cuspidatum, Ehrliart ;-^Fl. N. Z. ii. 58. Stems long, weak, 
flaccid ; branches remote, fascicled, deflexed, narrowed to the apex. Stem- 
leaves ovate, acute, spreading; branch-leaves lanceolate-acuminate; margin 
waved when dry ; perichsetial acute. Inflorescence dioecious. — Wils. Bryol. 
Brit. 21. t. 61.' 
Var. /3. recurvum. Leaves shorter, recurved when dry. — -S. recurvum , Pallisot. 
Yar. y. plumosum. Leaves longer, more attenuated. — S. plumosum. 
Northern Island, Co/enso. — Var. y, Oldfield’s collection. The above is taken from 
Wilson. Schimper describes this species as having two layers of cortical cells, Mitten as 
having but one. (Europe, Fuegia, etc.). 
2. S. sub secundum, Nees and Hornsch. ? — S: compactum , var. ambi- 
guum, FI. N. Z. ii. 57. Stems erect, csespitose, fastigiate; branches crowded, 
short, erecto-patent ; cortical cells in one layer, without spiral fibres. Leaves 
subovate ; apices scarcely incurved, obtuse or premorse. 
Northern Island : marshes, Bay of Islands, etc., Colenso, etc. A very doubtful plant, 
differing from S. compactum in the cortical cells being in only one layer, referred by Mr. 
Mitten to S. subsecundum, which is a native of Europe, etc. 
8. S. novo-Zelandicum, Mitten in Journ. Linn. Sue. iv. 99. Habit 
