PHASCUM. 71 



Nortliamptonsliire. It has also been found in North Ame- 

 rica. Fr. Nov. and Dec. Miiller mentions that the con- 

 ferva-shoots are sometimes present. It has much the aspect 

 of P. serratiim. 



7. Phascum patens, Hedw. [Spreading Earth Moss.) 

 Stem short; leaves patent, narrow-ovate, serrated, nerve 

 disappearing below the point.- — Eng. FL p. 3. Ephemerum 

 p., Mull. Syn.pt. \. p. 33. 



Clay banks and damp spots near rivers. Fr. Autumn and 

 early Spring. "Wliile it has a resemblance to P. cuspida- 

 tum, it is easily distinguished from that species by its ser- 

 rated leaves and tJie nerve disappearing before the point of 

 the leaf. There is a variety with narrower leaves, which 

 has been by some made a separate species — P. reairvifo- 

 lium. 



8. Phascum muticum, Schreb. [Common Dwarf Earth 

 Moss.) Stemless; leaves broadly ovate, concave, acumi- 

 nate, more or less serrated, connivent ; nerve reaching to 

 the point. — Eng. El. p. 3. Acaulon m.. Mull. Stjn. pt. 1. 

 p. 22. 



Moist banks and elsewhere, on clayey soil. Pr. Autumn 

 and early Spring. A very minute plant. The leaves, when 

 the fruit is mature, wrap it so closely round that it resem- 



