THE BRYOPHYTA OF ICELAND 4cS5 



concave, adpressed, and not bordered leaves, with loose cell-tissue and 

 not excurrent nerve, which agrees most closely with var. Ferchelii (Funck) 

 Breidl. 



156. Bryum argenteum L. 



Commonly distributed. 



This species has been found only in the lowlands, where it is 

 especial!} 7 frequent around inhabited localities. It grows there on the 

 peat walls of the houses, on the dikes and on the ground in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the dwelling houses, and prefers, on the whole, a wel)- 

 manured substratum. It is also common near the sea-side, both on 

 sandy soil and upon stones, and occurs especially abundantly below 

 cliffs inhabited by sea-fow r l, for instance on Yestmannaey. 



157. Bryum Neodamense Itzigs. 

 Var. offtfa (Jur.) Lindb. et Arnell. 



E. Iceland: Seydisfjordur!, sterile. 



It w r as growing here in cushions about 6 cm. high, in water in a 

 stream, at an altitude of about 100 metres. 



158. Bryum Duvalii Voit. 



Very common. 



Grows everywhere on very wet ground or in water, especially in 

 moss bogs or along the banks of streams, where it often forms large 

 vinous red cushions in the light green patches of Philonotis, Bryum ven- 

 tricosum and Mniobrynm albicans. As a rule it does not ascend higher 

 than 300400 metres. Near Barkarstadr in S. Iceland it was found at 

 an altitude of 500 metres. The fruit, which ripens in the middle of 

 July, is rare, and has been found only rather scantily near Berufjordur, 

 Ljosavatn and Tvera in 0xnadalur. 



159. Bryum pallens S\v. 



Widely distributed. 



mf 



Grows on a damp substratum, both on soil and on rocks. In 

 S. Iceland it is very common on faces of damp tuff rocks. It grows 

 especially on the marginal strip of soil and on the slopes along streams, 

 in small reddish tufts, associated with Dichodontium , Philonotis and 

 Dicranella crispa, but it is very often sterile. On the promontory near 

 Reykjavik it grew in enormous quantities on damp peaty ground, with 

 masses of capsules which, in the first week of August, were ripe, but 

 the lids were not yet thrown off. 



It is only by exception that Bryum pallens ascends higher than 

 about 300 metres above sea-level. Near Berufjordur it has been collected 

 at an altitude of about 500 metres. 



