110 APLOPERISTOMI. [ Glyphomitrion. 



XX. GLYPHOMITRION. 



GEN. CHAR. Fruitstalks terminal ; Capsule without an apo- 

 physis ; Peristome simple, of 16 teeth, approximated in 

 pairs, reflexed when dry ; Calyptra covering the whole 

 capsule, entire, or rarely cleft on one side, and la- 

 ciniated. (TAB. XIII.) 



Mr. Brown has just observed that the following curious moss 

 is allied to the genus Orthotrichum, especially in the approxima- 

 tion of its teeth to one another in pairs. We know of no species 

 of that genus, however, in which the teeth are of so firm and 

 rigid a texture, of so bright a red colour, or so strongly trans- 

 versely striated. Upon the calyptra we consider the essential 

 character to rest; this, even when the capsule has arrived at 

 its full size, envelops the whole, embracing with its base the 

 summit of the seta. It is quite destitute of hairs, obscurely fur- 

 rowed, very thin and membranous, irregularly cleft at the base, 

 and often splitting open laterally like that of the genus Calymperes, 

 to which we cannot help thinking this plant to be very nearly 

 allied. 



If Schwaegrichen had not followed Bridel in adopting the 

 generic appellation of Glyphomitrion, we should assuredly have 

 preferred the more recent one of Griffithia, employed by Mr. 

 Brown ; the more so, as Bridel framed his character chiefly with 

 a view to include the Encalypta crispata of Hedwig, (our Ortho- 

 trichum crispatum,) andJE.parasitica, both of which individuals are 

 stated to have 16 entire, equidistant teeth, and the former of 

 which at least has a calyptra exactly similar to the other tropical 

 Orthotricha. That author was entirely ignorant of the nature of 

 the teeth in the present plant. Schwaegrichen has with propriety 

 excluded the Hedwigian Encalypta from the genus Glyphomitrion^ 

 and we adopt the latter as constituted by him, together with his 

 important character of the approximation of the teeth in pairs ; 

 but, instead of attending to the male flowers, we obtain a further 

 mark of distinction from the calyptra. 



1. Glyphomitrion Daviesii. (TAB. XIII.) 



