668 
MUSCI. (MOSSES.) 
4 4. LESKEA, Hedwig. Leskea. 
Calyptra cuculliform. Capsule lateral, erect or inclined. Pe¬ 
ristome double ; the exterior of 16 teeth ; the interior of 16 cilia 
arising from a broad keeled membrane. Lid conic, more or less 
beaked. Inflorescence monoecious : sterile fl. axillary, gemmi- 
form. (Dedicated to Leske , a German naturalist.) 
1. Li. attenuata, Schreber. Stems creeping, much branched, 
the branches attenuated or thickened at the apex ; Leaves ovate , rather 
obtuse and one-sided, the strong nerve vanishing near the point; cap¬ 
sule erect , cylindrical; lid conic, obtusely pointed. — Very common on 
shaded rocks and the roots of trees, in damp places. 
2. L. imbricatula, Hedw. Stems creeping, the branches 
crowded, attenuated ; leaves closely imbricated , erect-spreading, ovate 
and lanceolate , pointed , the serrulate margins somewhat reflexed ; the 
shining nerve disappearing about the middle of the leaf; capsule erect , 
cylindrical; lid conic. — Woods, on logs, &c.: common and very 
variable. 
3. L. tenilir6stris, Bruch & Schimp. Stems creeping, much 
branched; branches short, erect; leaves erect-spreading, lanceolate , 
pointed, serrulate , nerveless; capsule cylindrical; ltd conic, long-beak¬ 
ed. — On decayed logs, &c. Very variable; closely allied to L. poly- 
antha, Hedw ., of which it may be an American form. (Muse. Me¬ 
ghan. No. 60.) 
4. L. polycarpa, Ehrh. Leaves opaque, somewhat one-sided, 
ovate , concave, rather acute, the nerve reaching to the summit; capsu e 
inclined ; lid conic. —• Roots and base of trees, in wet places. Phmt 
dark green. 
5. L. obscina, Hedw. Leaves opaque, ovate , rather obtuse, 
the margins somewhat recurved; nerve extending to near the apex, 
capsule erect , oblong-elliptic; lid conic. (L. gracilescens, Hrdw.) 
Banks of rivers, on trees, within reach of floods; fruits copiously. 
6. L. rostrata, Hedw. Stems ascending, variously divided, 
branches very crowded, short, erect, terete ; leaves ovate-lanceolate, at 
tenuated, the strong nerve percurrent; capsule ovate-oblong; Hd o 
liquely short-beaked from a conic base. — Woods, on roots of trees, in 
large dense mats. 
7. L. denticulata, Sulliv. Stems creeping and fastigiately 
branched ; branches erect, crowded, a little compressed ; leaves dense 
ly imbricated , somewhat one-sided, ovate, concave, pointed , denticu 
nerveless ; capsule oval-oblong ; lid obliquely short-beaked. — Aear t ie 
base of trees : a small species, not uncommon in the Western States, 
fruit very rare, found only on southern Alleghany specimens. (Muse. 
Mleghan. No. 62.) 
