Language: English
The two works of Georg Bojung “Scato” Lantzius–Beninga on the anatomy of moss capsules, entitled Beiträge zur Kenntnis des innern Bauer der ausgewachsenen Mooskapsel, insbesondere des Peristomes, of 1847 and 1850 have been largely forgotten within the body of bryological literature. These works contain fundamental information on the structure and anatomical composition of moss capsules, supported by detailed illustrations. Lantzius–Beninga examined species from Sphagnum L., the nematodontous mosses (Polytrichum Hedw. and Tetraphis Hedw.) and the arthrodontous mosses (Aulacomnium Schwägr., Barbula Hedw., Bartramia Hedw., Ceratodon Brid., Dicranum Hedw., Fissidens Hedw., Funaria Hedw., Grimmia Hedw., Gymnostomum Nees & Hornsch., Hypnum Hedw., Orthotrichum Hedw., Phascum Hedw., Splachnum Hedw., Trichostomum Bruch and Weissia Hedw.), as recognised at that time. In modern terms Lantzius–Beninga studied a total of 48 species from 38 genera, and iliustrated 24 of them. He focused his observations on mature capsules and, in particular, the internal structure of the capsule and the capsule wall – peristome tooth junction in these mosses. His theory was that this particular region could hold important traits for use in species distinction in mosses. Lantzius-Beninga’s findings, and their potential contribution to interpretation of the evolution of peristomes, has yet to be widely tested across this group of plants.
Herein his two works, and a later biography, all published in German, are transliterated with the aim of maintaining the spirit and charm of the original works while recounting as accurately as possible the wealth of information held within.
Abstract 11
Introduction by Eva Maier & Michelle J. Price 13
Table 1. List of botanical and bryological works cited in Lantzius–Beninga's works 16
Table 2. Modern names for the species studied by Lantzius–Beninga 17
Table 3. Index of species illustrated in Lantzius–Beninga’s works 19
Contributions to the knowledge of the inner structure of the mature moss capsule, especially of the peristome (1847) by Scato Lantzius–Beninga (translated from German) 21
Contributions to the knowledge of the inner structure of the mature moss capsule, especially of the peristome (1850) by Scato Lantzius–Beninga (translated from German) 27
Georg Bojung Scato Lantzius–Beninga by Rudolf Bielefeld (translated from German) 73