ANCECTANGIUM. 91 



ANCECTANGIUM, Eecho. (Branched Beaedless 



Moss.) 



So named from two Greek words signifying " an open 

 vessel/' — the capsule, imbedded in the leaves, having a 

 beautifully cup-shaped appearance. It is separated from 

 Gymnostomum by having a mitriform instead of dimidiate 

 capsule. 



Generic Character. — Pruitstalk terminal ; mouth of the cap- 

 sule naked ; calyptra mitriform. 



1. Ancectangium ciliatum, Hedw. [Hoari/ -branched 

 Beardless Moss.) Leaves subsecund, ovate, concave, dis- 

 tinctly dotted, not striated, the margins below recurved, 

 above plane, acuminated, and more or less diaphanous at 

 the point, those of the perichsetium toothed or serrated at 

 the extremity; capsule sessile, turbinate; lid plane, sub- 

 umbonate. — Engl. Fl.p.Jl. Pilotrichum cihatum, M/i/^. 

 Syn.pt. 2.jt?. 164. 



Rocks and stones, especially in hilly districts. Tr. March. 

 Few can have trod the hills and vales of our native land 

 with any observing, not to say scientific, eye, without 

 noticing the conspicuous hoary tufts of this elegant Moss, 

 easily distinguished from others of somewhat similar habit. 



