THE BRYOPHYTA OF ICELAND 485 



ooncave, adpressed, and not bordered leaves, with loose cell-tissue and 

 not excurrent nerve, which agrces most closely with var. Ferchelii (Funck) 

 Breidl. 



156. Bryum argenteum L. 



Commonly distributed. 



This species has been lound only in the lowlands, where it is 

 especially frequent around inhabited localities. It grows there on the 

 peat walls of the houses, on the dikes and on the ground in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the dwelling houses, and prefers, on the whole, a well- 

 manured substratum. It is also common near the sea-side, both on 

 sandy soil and upon stones, and occurs especially abundantly below 

 Cliffs inhabited by sea-fowl, for instance on Vestmannaey. 



157. Bryum Neodamense Itzigs. 



Var. oruta (Jur.) Lindb. et Arnell. 



E. Iceland: Seydistjordur!, sterile. 

 It was growing here in cushion 

 streaui, at an attitude of about 100 metres 



It was growing here in cushions about 6 cm. high, in water in a 



158. Bryum Duvalii Voit. 



Ver}' common 



Grows everywhere on very wet ground or in water, especially in 

 moss bogs or along the banks of streams, where it often forms large 

 vinous red cushions in the light green patches of Philonotis, Bryum ven- 

 Iricosam and Mniobryiim ulbicans. As a rule it does not ascend higher 

 than 300—400 metres. Near Barkarstadr in S. Iceland it was found at 

 an attitude of 500 metres. The fruit, which ri pens in the middle of 

 July, is rare, and has been found only rather scantily near Berufjordur, 

 Ljosavatn and Tvera in Øxnadalur. 



159. Bryum pallens Sw. 



Widely distributed. 



Grows on a damp substratum, both on soil and on rocks. In 

 S. Iceland it is ver}^ common on faces of damp tuff rocks. It grows 

 especially on the marginal strip of soil and on the slopes along streams, 

 in small reddish tufts, associated with Dichodontiiim , Philonotis and 

 Dicranella crispa, but it is very often sterile. On the promontory near 

 Reykjavik it grew in enormous quantities on damp peaty ground, with 

 masses of capsules which, in the first week of August, w-ere ripe, but 

 the lids were not 3'et thrown off. 



It is only by exception that Bryum pallens ascends higher than 

 about 300 metres above sea-level. Xear Berufjordur it has been collected 

 nt an attitude of about 500 metres. 



