V. 



MOSSES (MUSCI): SPHAGNALES—ANDRE^ALES 167 



is the rule numerous exceptions to it occur. In sterile plants 

 the branches are of two kinds, long flagellate branches which 

 hang down almost vertically and are applied to the stem, and 

 much shorter ones that are crowded together at the apex and 

 have only a limited growth. The leaves are inserted on the 



Fig. ?>7. ■^Sphagnum (sp) ; A, B, Young protonemata, X262; C, an older protonema 

 with a leafy bud (A:), X about 40; r, marginal rhizoids. 



Stem by a broad base, and taper to a more or less well-marked 

 point. According to Schimper, the divergence of the leaves 

 of the main axis is always two-fifths, but on the smaller 

 branches variations from this sometimes occur. The leaves 



