mOHER PLANTS 



Fig. 54. — I, A leafy branch of the common Diche- 

 lyma capillaceum; 2, leaves more enlarged. (Grout. 

 From Bry. Eur.) 



sometimes in sluggish streams, very rarely in quiet water. 

 Their stems are about three inches long, irreg^ularly branched? 

 with slightly spreading leaves which are absent altogether 

 from the lower part of the stem. 



The giant fountain moss, Fontinalis gigantea (Fig. 55), very 

 common in cool brooks, can be distinguished by its three- 

 cornered branches which grow several inches long. The 

 other species figured, F. NovcB-Anglice (Fig. 55), is probably 

 our commonest fountain moss. 



Occurrence. — Spore capsules mature in summer but they are 

 rarely seen, their stems being so short that they are entirely 



63 



