10 A S T O M I. [Phascum. 



makes its character to depend on what we do not find to be 

 constant, viz. the curvature of the fruitstalk. 



The Phascum carniolicum of authors is figured and described 

 as having the perichsetial leaves more elongated than usual, and 

 P. datum and P. qffine as possessing more lengthened stems ; 

 but really we find these marks so inconstant, or, as we presume, 

 of so little importance, that we are not even disposed to allow 

 the individuals the rank of well marked varieties. 



_j j_ Fruitstalk exserted. 



9. P. bryoides ; leaves ovate apiculate, capsule elliptical. (TAB. 



v.) 



Phascum bryoides. Dicks. PI Crypt. Fasc. 4. t. 10. / 3. Smith, FL 

 Brit. p. 1154. Engl Bot. t. 1180. Schwaegr. Suppl v. 1. p. 7. t. 1. 

 Funek, Deutschl. Moose, t. 1. n. 16. Nees et Hornsch. Bryol. Germ. v. 1. 

 p. 76. t. 7./. 21. Hook, in Fl. Lond. ed. 2. cum Ic. Moug. et Nestl n. 

 705. Am. Disp. Muse. p. 8. 



P. gymnostomoides. Uriel. Meth. p. 7. 

 P. elongatum. Schultz. 

 HAB. Banks and fields, England ; rare. 

 Size and habit of some specimens of Gymnostomum truncatu- 

 lum\ but easily distinguishable by the close union of the lid 

 with the capsule. Still more does it resemble the rare Voitia 

 nivalis of Hornsclmch ; indeed it might almost be taken for the 

 same plant in miniature; and we fear that the same generic 

 characters will, on a close examination, be found applicable to 

 both. P. bryoides has never yet been found in Scotland, and 

 even in England it is of far less frequent occurrence than in 

 France. 



10. P. rectum; leaves ovate with a short point, capsule globose 



nearly erect. (TAB. V.) 



Phascum rectum. With. Bot. Arr. p. 771. t. 18. / 1. Turn. Muse. 

 Hib. p. 4. Smith, Fl. Brit. p. 1153. Engl. Bot. t. 330. p. 905. Hob- 

 son, Brit. Mosses, v. 2. n. 5. Hook. Fl. Scot. ed. 2. ined. Am. Disp. 

 Muse. p. 8. 



HAB. Banks and fields ; rare in Scotland ; not uncommon 



in England and Ireland. 



Much resembling, in general aspect, the Weissia Starkeana, 

 with which it often grows intermixed, but it is distinguished by 



