Sub-genus Hylocomnium 



Annulus. Single. 



Spores. Fruit not common, mature in spring. 

 Distribution. Common in mountains or northward, America, 

 Europe, northern Asia and Africa. 



Portion of peristome showing on the 

 left four outer teeth ; on the right 



two cilia, two inner teeth split along Spore-case Leaves at base of 



their length. with peristome. pedicel. 



H. splendens. 



THE WOOD REVELLERS 

 HYPNUM: Sub-genus HYLOCOMNIUM, Schimp. 



The species of the Sub-genus Hylocomnium are large and 

 robust, two or three times irregularly feather-branched. The 

 stems grow from the apex only, or produce lateral 

 branches. 



The generic name Hylocomnium is derived from 

 the Greek v\i], wood, and #0/109, a reveller; it was 

 given to these mosses by William Philipp Schimper, 

 to describe their habit of growing on wood. 



The leaves spread abruptly from the base, or 

 spread and turn to one side. There are no leaf-like 

 organs (paraphyllia) among the leaves. 



The spore-cases are red-brown, swollen egg- 

 shaped or nearly globular, abruptly horizontal, inclined when dry on 

 pedicels twisted to the right. The lids are convex, or conic, with 

 no annulus, or a double one. The teeth are as the genus Hypnum. 



309 



H. triquetrum. 

 Spore-case with- 

 out lid. 



