Muscr ExorTici.—AHumboldtiani. 
POLYTRICHUM GIGANTEUM. 
Polytrichum caule valde elongato subfastigiatim ramoso, 
foliis erectis lineari-subulatis rigidis, margine apicem 
versus solummodo parum involutis dorsoque scabris, 
setis numerosis, capsula ovato-cylindracea, operculo 
rostrato, calyptra pilosa. (Tas. LXV.) 
Has. In devexo montis Quindiu, ad radices Ceroxyli andicole, 
in temperatis usque ad altitudinem 1450 hexapodarum, Hum- 
boldt et Bonpland. 
Caulis spithameus vel etiam pedalis, crassus, rigidus, flexuosus, 
basin versus indivisus, radicibus parvis fibrosis instructus, sur- 
sum subfastigiatim ramosus. Folia arcte imbricata, erecta, 
~ intense fusca, lineari-subulata, rigida, basi vaginata, apice so- 
lummodo margine parum involuto dorsoque scabra ; nervo 
totam superficiem folii oceupante, striato. Set@ numerose, 
terminales, sed ob caulis innovationes sxpissime laterales, tri- : 
unciales, crassiuscule, rubre. Calyptra pilosa, fusca. Cap- 
sule@ magne, inclinate, ovato-cylindracez, fuse, Operculum 
rostratum, curvatum, capsula duplo brevius. Peristomium 
ut in P, communi. 
This remarkable plant, which exceeds in size our P. commune, 
has an affinity in its ramification and the form of its capsules 
with P. alpinum, and in its leaves with P. juniperinum, The 
leaves, however, are plain at their margins, except just at the 
point, where, as well as at the back, they are slightly toothed. 
Fig. 1, plant. Fig. 2, calyptra, nat. size. Fide? 3, leaf. Fig. 4, 
apex of ditto.—magn. 
