The English flora - SeaweedAfrica

Anictangium.] MUSCI-ACROCARPI-GYMNOSTOMI. 11
capsule; and then the presence of a white horizontal membranous ring 1
at the contracted mouth of the capsule and the absence of the teeth, will
decide its character. Now, Mr. W. Wilson has made a most interesting
discovery, and which perhaps will tend to clear up existing doubts,
respecting other genera of Mosses. After various observations made in
three different years, which tended to the same result, Mr. Wilson
writes from Camyneunt, near Aber, N. Wales, 26th March, 1830:—
" I find here constant traces of a peristome, requiring a high magnifier
to distinguish from the membranous border of the Gymnostoma, but
assuming sometimes the usual appearance of the small state of
Weissia controversy of which I am inclined to think it is a mere variety.
Specimens from Nant Frangon, gathered March 4th, 1830, have a defi-
cient peristome in the smaller capsules and most evident red teeth in
other cases." This goes far towards confirming an opinion I formerly
expressed, that the Ptychostomum of authors was a Bryum, with a deficient
inner peristome. 2 Leptostomuw, I have shown to have sometimes
a very near approach to teeth in the membrane at the mouth of the
capsule. 3
Hedwig's Bryum macrocarpum has a peristome of the same
kind. The Splachnum paradoxum of Br. (S. Adamsiannm ? Hornsch.) is
destitute of peristome. Mr. Wilson has proved that there is an imperfect
inner peristome to Weissia (Entosthodon) Templetoni, so that it can
hardly be distinguished from Funaria. Other mosses will probably be
thus a new light will be
found to be subject to similar variations : and
thrown upon the real nature of established species and genera.
6. Anictangium. Hedw. Branched-Beardless-Moss.
Seta terminal. Mouth of the capsule naked. Calyptra mitriform.
(Muse. Brit. t. 1.)—Name,—«vo/xrog, open, and uyyuov, a
vessel or capsule, from the expanded mouth of the latter.—This
genus is distinguished from Gymnostomum by its mitriform calyptra,
as Hedwioia is by its lateral fruitstalks. Henee, the
latter will be found among the Pleurocarpi.
e
—
—
1. A. eiliatum, Hedw, (hoary Branched-Beardless-Moss)}
Leaves subseennd ovate concave distinctly dotted not striated,
the margins below recurved above plane acuminated ami more
or less diaphanous at the point, those of the perichsetium toothed
or serrated at the extremity, capsule sessile turbinate, lid plane
subumbonate.—*. vulgar t
all the leaves diaphanous at the
point, those of the perichsetium laciniated. A, ciliatum, Hedw*
Sp. MuSC. p. K>. Turn, MUSC. Hil>. />. 11. Drum. Muse. Scot.
v. i. //. 13. Muse. Brit . 1579. Dill, Muse.
t. :)_'./: .'). l.imberbe; stem-leaves coloured at the points, those
of the perichsetium diaphanous ami serrated A. ciliatum, y.
ntfescens, Arn, Disp, Muse p.
1 Common
Indeed
t.i many Qwmmosioma,
—
1 1.— -1. imberbe, Muse lint. at. 2.
' Appendix « Captain Parryi Attempt to reach the North Pole, p. I
' Bee QwwmQStotiuun Leptottomum, Biusct BxcL t. 16ft