BY L. KUDWAY. 131 



Faiii. G— FISSIDENTACEAE. 



Plants fioni minute to incdiinn sized, erect or inclined, 

 the stems simple, or rarely with few branches, generally 

 in cacspitose masses. Leaves, alternate in two opposite 

 rows, the lower ones usually short and more or less con- 

 duplicate, in tiic upjDcr ones a dorsal blade is developed 

 carrying the nerve with it (when a nerve is presient), the 

 leaf then appeaj's flat in the same plane as the stem, with 

 an equitant base or sheath, cells irregularly hexagonal, 

 quadrate or rotund, small, rarely larger, smooth or papil- 

 lose. Seta long, slender, terminal, rarely lateral ; capsule 

 oblong, smalt; lid conic or rostrate; calyptra rather small, 

 mitriform, or split on one side at the base ; peristome of 

 one scries, well developed, teeth 16, split half wav oi- more 

 into two slender trabeculate leos. 



The family with the peristome of Dicranum has a vcrv 

 distinct leaf structure. The inclination of the capsule 

 is unreliable for piiirposes of identification ; the position of 

 the antheridium sometimes uncertain; general habit anci 

 leaf structure is more trustworthy. 



FISSTDENS. Hedw. 

 Character indicated in the description of the fauiih'. 



Nerveless, dwr.i'f, cells large ... dealbalus. 



Tall, leaves nerved, with a serrate margin... adi an toides. 



Nerved, margin entire, or nearly so. 



Margin nowhere bordered. 



Under 5 m.m. 



Cells prominently papillose tcnellus. 



Cells smooth, upper leaves longest, 



lanceolate pallidus. 



Stems usually 1 cm. or more. 



