PHASCUM. 69 



^"^ Conferva-lihe shoots none j leaves more or less subulate; 

 capsule nearly sessile. 



2. Phascum alternifolium, Dicks. [Alternate-leaved 

 Larth Moss.) Stems elongated; leaves entire, lanceolato- 

 subulate, remote; innovations from immediately beneath 

 the fruit. — Eng. Fl. p. 2. Archidium phascoides, Brid. 

 Bryol. Eur op. and Mull. Syn.pt. \. p. 13. 



Moist banks, not common in fruit. Pr. Jan. and Feb., 

 and more or less throughout the season. This moss is re- 

 markable for its lengthened shoots, resembhng some Dicra- 

 nums, and for its distant and alternately-placed leaves. The 

 perichsetial leaves are larger and longer than those of the 

 stem, and sometimes contain more than one capsule. The 

 seeds are large, greenish, and angular. 



3. Phascum CRispuM, Hedw. {Curly-leaved Earth Moss ^ 

 Leaves lanceolato-subulate, flexuose, crisped when dry. — 

 Eng. El. p. 2. Astomum c. Mull. Syn. pt. 1. p. 24. 



On banks and in fields. Pr. spring. The curled leaves 

 are distinguishing marks of this species. 



Var. rostellata : the elongated beaks of the capsule are 

 chief mark of the distinction, and are deemed insufficient by 

 Hooker to make it rank as a species, though Bruch and 

 Schimper and Mliller record it as such. 



