42 



BURMA, TTS PEOPLE AXD PRODUCTFOXS. 



Sphaijmim is commonly known as " bog-moss ; " it forms, as it decays, the 

 principal ingredient in peat. There is but one genus of this group. " Tlic species 

 are difficult of definition, and are probably far less numerous than is supposed." 



rr>''ARiA, ITofhrif/. 



Sporanginm obliquely pyriform, thick, subventricoso ; apophysis (a peculiar 

 goitre-like swelling at the base of the sporangium of some mosses, absent from 

 others), tapering into the foot-stalk, even, or furrowed when dry. Ring (round 

 the base of the perinfouie in some mosses, detaching itself wlien the lid falls off), 

 when present, large; peristome double, outer of IG oblique teeth, connected at tbeir 

 tips by a small reticulated circular disk ; inner a membrane divided into 16 lanceolate 

 processes, opposite to the outer teeth, and slightly adherent at the base ; lid plano- 

 convex ; calyptra swollen at the base, subulate above, at length split on one side. 



F. hygrometrica : Upper leaves crowded, forming a bud-like m;iss, ovato-oblong, 

 acuminate ; nerve reaching to the apex ; sporangium pyriform, incurved, deeply 

 furrowed when dry; ring broad, at length revolutc ; fruit- stalk tlexuous, and highly 

 hygrometric. ^Vhen in fruit, about one inch liigli. Extremely common, and found 

 in most parts of the world. 



POGONATUM, Bridcl. 



Sporangiitm oval or oblong, not angular (as in Poii/fricJinw) : calyptra densely 

 hairy ; teeth 32 united by their tips to a tym])auoid (di um-skin like) membrane ; 

 leaves densely lamellate (having numerous lamella; or thin plates on either side of 

 the mid-rib). 



P. aioides : Stem short, leaves lengthened, lanceolate, from a sheathing base, 

 toothed, thick, pointed ; sporangium soft, oblong ; lid conical, acuminate. One to 

 two inches high. Forming loose patches ; affecting dry sandy places. 



