192 HISTORY OY BRITISH MOSSES. 



appearance of the lower foliage and long club- shaped cap- 

 sule sufficiently distinguish it. 



ft Nerve of the leaf reaclting to the point or heyond it. 



14. Bryum pyriforme, Sw. {Pearfriiited Thread 

 Moss.) Stems slightly branched ; leaves subulato-setaceous, 

 flexuose^ serrated, their nerve very broad ; capsule pyriform, 

 pendulous. — Eng.Fl.p. 60; Miill.Syn.pt. \.p. 380. 



On moist sandy ground in shaded places, and on sand- 

 stone rocks. Often growing on the surface of the earth in 

 garden-pots in greenhouses. Fr. June. The leaf of tliis 

 species consists almost entirely of the broad nerve, by which 

 it may be well known. Its setse and capsules are of a fine 

 bright orange tint when they attain maturity. 



15. Bryum capillare, Linn. {Greater Matted Thread 

 Moss.) Stems short; leaves obovate, twisted when dry, 

 entire, their nerve produced into a hair-like point, their mar- 

 gins slightly thickened ; capsule oblong, pendulous. — Eng. 

 Fl.p. GO; Milll. Syn.pt. I. p. 281. 



Eocks, walls, and on the ground; common. Fr. May. 

 One of the first Mosses the young beginner is likely to have 

 his attention drawn to, whether he goes in search of them 

 in Autumn, when its transparent green capsules are yet 

 in an immature state, or in Spring, when these are well 



