FERNS, MOSSES, AND LIVERWORTS. 97 



soon as moistened, becoming more or less expanded. 

 In many of the species the capsule is closely seated 

 amongst the leaves, in others it is shortly stalked. 

 The capsules are marked downwards with eight 

 coloured striae, rarely more, and are often very hand- 

 some. The most common species has erect flaccid 

 leaves, 1 rather pale capsules, and a pale green hairy 

 hood at first covering them. In another species the 

 long trumpet-shaped capsule, 2 with its outer fringe 

 of eight broad reflexed teeth, looks something like the 

 flowers of a minute heath. 



The Thyme-leaved moss 3 is one of the commonest 

 and most attractive of the terrestrial species in damp 

 woods. The beautiful bright green of the delicate 

 crisped leaves, its spreading habit, and peculiar 

 appearance are sure to rivet the attention, although 

 it is not common to find it bearing its lisse capsules 

 in this country. 



In all the examples hitherto cited the capsules are 

 terminal, that is, produced at the end of the stem or its 

 branches. There are, however, many species in 

 which the capsules spring from the sides of the stems 

 or branches, and these are mostly of a straggling 

 habit, spreading and branching considerably, and 

 consequently presenting quite a different appearance 

 even to the untutored eye. 



Two of these species are met with amongst grass 

 in woods, the acute leaves of which are bent back so 

 as to give a rough scaly appearance to the long wiry 



1 Orthotrichum ajfine. 3 Mnium undulatum* 



2 Orthotrichum crispum. 



H 



