Mosses and Lichens 



shape, concave or somewhat grooved ; apex acute to short taper- 

 pointed ; margin with small sharp-pointed teeth above ; base grow- 

 ing somewhat down the stem; -vein extending Z /T, of the length 

 of the leaf; cells, median, linear; basal, broader; alar, enlarged. 

 Habit of flowering. Male and female flowers on different 

 plants (dioicous). 



Veil (calyptra). Split up one side. 



Spore-case. Large, oblong or egg-shaped, horizontal or 

 inclined. 



Pedicel (seta). Thick and rough, red-brown, I to i inches 

 long. 



Lid (operculum). Conical, with an abrupt slender point. 

 Teeth (per is tome} . As in the genus. 

 Annulus. Large. 



Spores. Chestnut colour, mature in 

 autumn. 



Distribution. Universal in mountainous 

 regions. 



Brachythecium Starkii, (Brid.) Br. 

 &Sc. 



Habit and habitat. In dark-green, loose 

 mats on fallen logs and old tree-trunks in 

 moist mountain regions. 



Name. The specific name was given 

 in honour of Robert M. Starke. 



Plant (gametophyte). Prostrate, branch- 

 ing, the branches ascending, arched, % to i 

 inch long. 



Leaves. Branch-leaves distant, spread- 

 ing, oval, lance-shaped, narrowly acute or 

 taper-pointed; apex usually half twisted; 

 base somewhat decurrent; margin 

 serrate; vein extending beyond the 

 middle; cells, the middle linear, the 

 basal shorter and broader; the alar 

 starku. plant. f ew> r homboidal to quadrate; stem- 

 leaves broadly oval and long taper-pointed, less strongly serrate, 

 cells looser. 



Leaves at the base of the pedicel (perichatial leaves'). Longer 

 and narrower. 



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