The Genus Neckera 



."Pelccel 

 Po.ro.pkw ses 



Of 



N. pennata. Sporophyte 

 with paraphyses at the 

 base. 



Genus NECKERA, Hedw. 



The species of the Genus Neckera grow in extensive mats 

 on tree-trunks or rocks. The primary stems are creeping, and 

 the secondary are once or twice feather-branched, erect or pen- 



dent, often whip-like, and covered at the 

 base with red-brown filaments. 



The leaves are glossy, translucent, often 

 flat and generally wavy. The cells are 

 minute rhomboidal, oblong in the upper 

 part, linear in the middle and quadrate 

 on the borders. 



The spore-cases are immersed or ex- 

 serted, with a short or somewhat elongated 

 pedicel. They are erect and symmetrical 

 with conical beaked lids. 



The peristome is double, without an annulus, the outer 

 teeth being long, linear, lance-shaped, and closely cross-barred. 

 The inner membrane consisting of a basal por- 

 tion with 1 6, often short, processes without 

 intermediate cilia. 



The genus was named by J. G. Hedwig in 

 honour of J. N. Necker, a distinguished botanist. 

 158 species are known at present, 8 being found 

 in North America. 



The Feathered Neckera, Neckera pennata, 

 Hedw. See Colour Plate III. 



Habit and habitat. Growing in widely 

 spreading pale-green matted tufts (cespitose} on 

 tree trunks. It is a conspicuous moss on trees 

 of the Adirondack woods. The older parts of the plants are 

 shabby, while the newer parts are pale yellow-green and grow 

 horizontally around the tree. 



Name. The specific name pennata, from the Latin penna, a 

 feather, was suggested by the arrangement of the branches. 



Plant, (gametophyte). The primary stems are long, the 

 secondary 2 to 4 inches long in opposite rows (distichous), close 

 or distant, erect. 



Leaves. In the same plane with the branches, spreading, 

 glossy, broadly lance-shaped, transversely wrinkled ; apex 

 acute ; margin entire or slightly saw-toothed from the middle 



265 



N. pennata. Por- 

 tion of peristome 

 \vithfourlongouter 

 teeth and three 

 short inner. 



