The English flora - SeaweedAfrica

84 MUSCI-PLEUROCARPI-PERISTOMI. [Hypnum,
30. H. albicans, Neck, (whitish Feather-Moss); leaves erect
ovato-lanceolate acuminate faintly striated concave entire revolute
at the margin, the nerve reaching half way, capsules
ovate cernuous, seta smooth, lid conical. Neck. Meth. Muse,
p. 180. Hediv. St. Cr. v. 4. t. 5. Turn. Muse. Hib. p. 171.
FL Brit. p. 1309. E. Bot. t. 1300. Hobs. Br. Mosses, v. 2.
n. 62. Drum. Muse. Scot. v. 2. n. 69. Muse. Brit. ed. 2. p. 167.
t. 25.—Dill. Muse. t. 42. /. 63.
Hedge-banks, and on the ground, in sandy soils, frequent. Fr. Nov.
—This is of a pale colour, and is less branched than H. lutescens, which it
resembles in many points. Its leaves, however, are longer, more acuminate,
softer and more patent.—The last 5 species have a very close
natural affinity, one with another.
** Leaves serrated.
f Stems below bare of leaves. (Tree-like.)
31. H. alopecurum, Linn, (fox-tail Feather-Moss); stems erect
simple and naked below fascicled above, leaves concave narrow
ovate acute serrated reflexed at the margin, the nerve reaching
nearly to the point, capsule ovate cernuous, lid rostrate.
Linn. Sp. PL p. 1594. Turn. Muse. Hib. p. 163. E. Bot.
t. 1182. Schwaegr. Suppl v. 1. P. II. p. 265. Hobs. Br. Mosses,
v. 1. n. 77. Drum. Muse. Scot. v. 1. n. 86. Muse. Brit. ed. 2.
p. 168. t. 25.
Woods and shady banks, common. Fr. Oct.—This and the following
species are among the largest and handsomest of our Hypna, and in
their upright and tree-like mode of growth differ remarkably from the
rest. A variety, however, of the present, growing in running water, is
branched from its very base, having the branches elongated and the
leaves more closely set and shorter.
32. H. dendroides, Linn, (tree-like Feather-Moss); stems
erect below simple and naked fascicled above, leaves ovate often
more or less lanceolate serrated at the point, the nerve reaching
nearly to the summit, capsule ovato-cylindrical, lid rostrate.
Linn. Sp. PI. p. 1593. Turn. Muse. Hib. p. 138. Fl. Brit,
p. 1283. E. Bot. t. 1565. Hobs. Br. Mosses, v. 1. n. 78. Drum.
Muse. Scot. v. 1. n. 85. Muse. Brit. ed. 2. p. 168.*. 25.—Leskea
dendr. Hediv.—Neckera dendr. Sw.— Climacium dendr. Mohr.—
Schwaegr. Suppl. v. I. P. II. p. 141.*. 81—Dill. Muse. t. 40.
/. 48.
In woods, and borders of bogs and marshes. Fr. Nov.— Mostly in
subalpine countries.—The segments of the inner peristome being cleft
at the base, Weber and Mohr have considered this difference sufficient to
constitute a new Genus, Climacium. "The columella is protruded,
and reaches the top of the lid, which, when the capsules are ripe, and
during a dry state of the atmosphere, it raises up, turning in a spiral
manner; and thus perhaps, permitting the discharge of the seeds. If,
in this state, moisture be applied to the mouth of the capsule, the lid on
the top of the columella will descend, as this last performs a spiral volu-
tiDn, and the capsule is completely closed again." Muse. Brit. ed. 2.
p. 1G9. Mr. Wilson remarks on this, " the columella does not appear to