The English flora - SeaweedAfrica

78 MUSCI-PLEUROCARPI-PERISTOMI. [Hi/pmim.
datur exemplum tantae inconstantiae nervi in ullo Hyjmo ," for dif-
ferent leaves on the same individual have the nerve varying much in
length, and to me, in the older stems, the nerve, of a dark brown colour,
seems to reach quite to the point ; but Mr. Wilson observes that it
always vanishes below it. In others, the nerve almost totally disappears
and then the plant becomes the H. subtile of British authors, not
Leskea subtilis of Hedw. which has the true fringe of a Leskea and has
not, that I am aware, yet been found in Britain. For further remarks
on this variable species see the Muscologia Britannica, ed. 2.
** Leaves serrated.
2. H. populeum, Hedw. (matted Feather-Moss); leaves erect
lanceolate acuminated serrated the margin slightly reflexed, the
nerve reaching to the point, capsule ovate subcernuous, lid
conical. Hedw. Sp. Muse. t. 70. f. 1—6. Hobs. Br. Mosses, v. 1.
n. 69. Drum. 31usc. Scot. v. 1. n. 78. Schwaegr. Suppl. v. 1.
H. implexum,
P. II. p. 238. Muse. Brit. ed. 2. p. 157. t. 24.
Sicartz.— Turn. Muse. Hib.p. 173. t. 16. Fl. Brit. p. 1310. E.
Bot. t. 1584.
On stones in shady situations, less frequently on trees. Fr. Nov.
10. H. reflexum, Web. (reflexed Feather-Moss); leaves cordato-acuminate
serrated the margin slightly reflexed, the nerve
reaching to the point, capsule ovate cernuous, seta rough, lid
conical. Web. et Mohr, Cr. Germ. p. 306, et 476. Schwaegr.
Suppl. v. 1. P. II. p. 161. t. 143.
On Ben Nevis, near the base of the mountain ; on Ben Lawers, Dr.
Greville. Fr. . — British specimens quite accord with original ones
from Starke. In habit, they differ considerably from the last species,
being more straggling in the growth, the leaves are broader and snorter,
especially those of the main stem, which are broadly cordate with a suddenly
acuminated point.
—
b. Nerve shorter than the leaf, or none.
* Leaves entire.
j- Leaves ovate or elliptical.
11. H. molle, Dicks, (soft water Feather-Moss); stems creeping,
branches erect, leaves loosely imbricated patent rotundatoovate
rather acute concave entire faintly 2-nerved at the base
or with one short nerve, capsule ovate cernuous, lid conical.
Dicks. Cr. Fasc. 2. t. 5. /. 8. Hedw. Sp. Muse. t. 70. /.
7—10. Fl. Brit. p. 1312. E. Bot. 1. 1992. Hobs. Br. Mosses,
v. 2. n. 56. Drum. Muse. Scot. v. 2. n. 64. Schwaegr. Suppl.
v. 1. P. II. p. 220. Muse. Brit. ed. 2. p. 158. t. 24. Grev. Scot.
Or. Fl. t. 283.
—
Alpine rivulets, in Scotland; Aber, N. Wales; Mr. Wilson, (the
station since destroyed.) Fr. June. Plant tufted and the short branches
(2—3 inches high) erect, bare of foliage below. Leaves of a thin
membranaceous texture, generally very dark lurid green, concave,
varying in the nerve which is either single or double. This, indeed,
comes very near to H. alpestre, which is, however, more rigid in tex-