Thread-moss 



Habit of flowering. Male and female flowers in the same 

 cluster (synoicous). 



Veil (calyptrd). Split up one side. 



Spore-case. Solitary, somewhat pendulous, oval-oblong. 



Pedicel. Solitary, pale. 



Lid (pperculum). Conical, obtuse. 



Annulus. Narrow, rolling back as the lid is pushed off. 



Teeth (peristome). The outer yellow, the inner orange, solid, 

 the segments open on the keel, thread-like and sharp-pointed at 

 the apex ; cilia usually three between each tooth. 



Spores. Mature in spring. 



Distribution. In almost every state of the Union, also in 

 Europe. 



Mnium affine, Bland. 



Habit and habitat. Common on shaded banks and roots of 

 trees. Bright, pale-green, loosely tufted with long sterile shoots 

 arched or prostrate. 



Name. The specific name, affine, from the 

 Latin affinis, related, refers to the resemblance of 

 this species to Mnium cuspidatum with which it 

 has often been confused. 



Plant (gametophyte}. One to two inches 

 high with brown filaments at the base. 



Leaves. Spreading, recurved and crisped on 

 the borders when dry; the lower stem-leaves 

 round egg-shaped with the narrow end next to 

 the stem; the middle stem-leaves oblong egg- 

 shaped, growing more or less down the stem; the upper 



Stem with leaves. 



Apex with vein and marginal cells. 

 M. cuspidatum. 

 229 



Spore -case 

 without lid. 



