DICRANACEAE 83 



the stem; but when this occurs, the new leaves are 

 lighter green than the old ones and one readily sees 

 what has taken place. 



The distinguishing characteristics of Ceratodon are 

 the dark-red capsule and seta combined with the short 

 erect stems and short hair-like leaves. When the plants 

 are not fruited they are not conspicuous, unless the 

 growth is quite extensive, and are not easily recog- 

 nized. One can bear in mind that Ceratodon grows in 

 dry, barren places and that the leaves are short, hair- 

 like, and wide-spreading when moist. Sterile plants of 

 Pohlia nutans (p. 127) often grow quite extensively, 

 and this moss is also a very common one; but it is 

 found in damper places, having leaves wider, larger, 

 and more erect than in Ceratodon and the stems gen- 

 erally red, especially in the young plants. 



5. DISTICHIUM Bryol. Eur. (Di-stich-i-um) 



A small genus. Name derived from the Greek for a 

 *' double row," referring to the leaves arranged in two 

 rows. 



Distichium capillaceum (Sw.) Bryol. Eur. (Swartzia 

 montana Lindb.) is found in mountainous regions, 

 growing on rocks and ledges, especially limestone; not 

 common; fruit occasional. 



Plants thickly crowded together; glossy; bright or dark 

 green above, reddish-brown below. 



Stems very slender, usually 1-4 inches long; branched. 



