The Fountain Mosses 



the stem. They have no vein. The cells are linear, those of the 

 basal angles more or less enlarged. 



The spore-cases are oval or cylindrical with conical lids and 

 are immersed in the leaves at the base. 



The peristome is double, the 

 outer of sixteen lance-shaped 

 teeth, the inner of sixteen slender 

 cilia united into a latticed cone. 

 There are about forty species 

 in all, over twenty-five being 

 known in the United States. 



Fontinalis antipyretica, 

 var. gigantea, Sulliv. 



Habit and habitat. Glossy, 

 yellow-green or bronzed plants 

 growing in fresh water. 



Name. The specific name 

 antipyretica is a compound of 

 the Greek avrl, against, and 

 n-vpeicTiicos, fever, given because 

 of a belief in its efficacy in fevers. 

 The varietal name gigantea re- 

 fers to its size. 



Fontinalis antipyretica with tiny female 

 branches. 



Plants. One to two feet 

 long, rooting only at the base 

 and growing attached to stones, 

 and roots of trees in streams. 



Leaves. Keeled and overlap- 

 ping; vein none; apex finely 

 toothed; cells of the basal angles 

 enlarged, 



363 



F. antipyretica. Leaves. 



