io6 HOW TO KNOW THE MOSSES 



The beginner will not be likely to collect the Bar- 

 hulas^ unless fruited, as even moist plants are so small 

 and inconspicuous; and when dry, they look very much 

 dried-up on account of the tightly curled leaves. When 

 not fruited, the short stems and the leaves crisped when 

 dry are the only distinguishing characteristics. Barhula 

 is common south and west of our range. See Ditrichum 

 (p. 78), Georgia (p. 154), and Encalypta (p. 108). 



16. POTTIA Ehrh. (P6tt-i-a) 



A large genus widely distributed. But one species 

 occurs in our range. Named after Pott, a professor of 

 botany in Brunswick, Germany. 



Pottia truncatula (L.) Lindb. grows on the ground 

 in moist places; not common; fruit usually abundant. 



Plants growing close together; dull green. 



Stems erect, very short, about }i inch long. 

 Leaves short and broad; usually easily seen 

 when moist; slightly crisped when dry; dull 

 green. 



Seta short, % to y% inch long; yellow-brown. 

 Leaf and Capsule top-shaped, erect; reddish-brown; ma- 

 capsule en- ture in autumn. 



larked 



Operculum short-beaked, not easily seen. 

 Range, Quebec and New England to Pennsylvania; 

 Nevada; Europe; Asia; Africa. 



Pottia is not very common, but is easily recognized 

 by the top-shaped capsules. The only other moss with a 



