of Lycopodium clavatum , L. 299 
a reconsideration of the importance to be attached to the 
types of gametophyte within the genus Lycopodium . This 
has been done briefly by Bruchmann, with whose conclusions, 
however, the author is unable to entirely agree. He recog- 
nizes five distinct types, represented by the prothalli of 
L. clavatum (i), Z. complanatum (ii), L. Selago (iii), L. inun- 
datum (iv), and L. Phlegmaria (v) respectively, and expresses 
the opinion that the differences distinguishing them warrant 
the subdivision of Lycopodium into a corresponding number 
of genera. After enumerating the main characters in which 
the above types agree and differ from one another, Bruchmann 
thus sums up his conclusion : — ‘ It follows from the above 
facts that the groups of Lycopodium characterized especially 
by means of their sexual generation do not stand in close 
relationship 'to one another, especially not such as one would 
expect in species of plants which have found their position 
together in one genus. This knowledge leads to a separation 
of the Lycopodiums into groups, or still better into genera, 
to which it would be quite in place to give new names. 
There arise as many groups as the sexual generation allows 
types to be distinguished. Thus, for example, the six Euro- 
pean species would be separable into four groups (genera), 
of which only those of the types i. and ii. are represented by 
two species each, those of types iii. and iv. by one species 
each. These still existing [groups ofj Lycopodiums, now 
poor in species, are the much reduced survivors of a family 
of plants which in earlier time played a prominent part, and 
the origin of which from a common stock cannot be gainsaid ; 
still, their very considerable differentiations point to a long 
course of independent evolution, and thus to a separation at 
a very ancient period V 
It must be admitted that this view is a quite possible one ; 
but when all the facts bearing on the question are considered, 
another mode of regarding the diversity in the sexual genera- 
tion of Lycopodium appears to be more probable. Whether 
this will prove to be the case or not can only be seen as our 
1 Bruchmann, loc. cit., 1898, p. 108. 
