1IYPNEI. 131 



sented in Eng. Bot. t. 1446, the leaves are more obtuse. Mr. 

 \Vilson finds a variety in which the margin of the leaves is 

 nearly plane, arid the inflorescence synoicous. The different 

 inflorescence, and the non-rostrate beak separate this decidedly 

 from H. sylvaticum. 



83. H. sylvaticum, L. ; dioicous ; stem decumbent ; leaves 

 subcomplanate, ovato-lanceolate, shortly acuminate, entire, 

 two- nerved, even; margin plane; sporangium subcylindrical, 

 cernuous ; lid shortly rostrate. Hook. Wils. t. lix. ; Eng. 

 Bot. t. 2936. ; (Moug. % Nest. n. 515.) 



On roots of trees, shady rocks, etc. Bearing fruit in early 

 autumn. 



Forming soft, deep-green patches. Stem decumbent, proli- 

 ferous ; branches few, subfasciculate ; leaves flattened, but not 

 so much so as in the last, distant, entire, opaque, ovato-lanceo- 

 late, attenuated upwards, but not strongly acuminate, two- 

 nerved, contracted and furrowed when dry; margin plane; 

 cells large ; fruitstalk more than an inch long, pale, even ; 

 sporangium subcylindrical, cernuous ; lid rostrate. 



The rostrate beak, plane margin, and dioicous inflorescence 

 will always distinguish this from the last. 



84. H. elegans, Hook. ; dioicous; stems prostrate; branches 

 complanate; leaves complanate, ovato-lanceolate, oblique, 

 slender pointed, obscurely toothed above, nerveless or two- 

 nerved ; sporangium ovate, more or less pendulous ; lid coni- 

 cal, with a short beak. Hook, ty Wils. t. lix. ; Hook. Muse. 

 Ex. t. 9. ; (Plate 12, fig. 3.) 



On shady banks and rocks. Bearing fruit in spring. 



Forming shining, pale-green patches. Stem prostrate, often 

 proliferous ; branches subpinnate, prostrate ; leaves glossy 

 when dry, distichous, complanate, ovato-lanceolate, attenuated, 

 almost piliferous ; tip obscurely serrated or entire ; nerveless or 



K 2 



