no. ii.] the bryophytes of connecticut. 35 



Hydrophytes. 



1. Plants growing in more or less wooded swamps. 



a. On the ground. 



Trichocolca tomcntella Brachythecium Nova-Anglice 

 Elodium pahidosiim Calliergon cordifolium 



b. On sticks and bushes. 



Dichelyma capillaceum 



2. Plants growing on wet or dripping rocks in streams 

 and ravines. 



Riccardia sinuata Eurynchium rusciforme 



Juhiila pennsylvanica Amblystegmm Lescurii 



Thamnium alleghaniense 



3. Plants growing in open bogs, especially peat bogs, and 

 usually forming compact masses of vegetation. 



Lepidosia setacca Sphagnum (most species) 



Scapania irrigua Acrocladium cuspidatum 



Drepanocladus aduncus 



4. Plants submerged or floating in the water. 

 'Ricciella Huitans Sphagnum obcsum 



Ricciocarpus nutans Octodiceras Julianum 



Porella pinnata Fontinalis Lescurii 



ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE BRYOPHYTES 



Although the majority of the Bryophytes are of small size 

 when compared with the seed-bearing plants, they often form 

 dense and extensive colonies and thus constitute a conspicuous 

 feature of the landscape. This is especially true in mountain- 

 ous and northern regions, where woody plants are stunted in 

 growth and occur more sparingly than under more favorable 

 climatic conditions. Even in Connecticut, however, where the 

 higher plants exhibit a vigorous development, the Sphagnales 

 and certain of the other Bryophytes are often abundant enough 

 to attract the attention of the ordinary observer. 



On account of the tufted habit of so many species and the 

 power which they possess of absorbing and retaining water, 



