MOSSES 47 



shows, on a somewhat larger scale, the similar 

 capsule of another member of the same family, 

 the "Wide-leaved Screw-moss ( Tor tula laevipila) . In 

 both cases the form is said to be cylindrical, that 

 is, like a small cylinder. Plate III. fig. 19 is an 

 instance of the same thing, though in this case the 

 capsule is not so long ; it represents the capsule 

 of the Purple Fork -moss (Ceratodon purpureus), 

 to which reference has been made on page 20, 

 as one of the most widely distributed of all our 

 mosses. This capsule is specially interesting from 

 more than one point of view, as we shall have 

 occasion to see. Fig. 16 of Plate III. is a very 

 representative example; this is the capsule of 

 the Velvet Feather-moss (Brachythecium vein- 

 tinum), which is so common in country lanes, 

 growing on the hedge banks, and on the roots 

 of trees, etc. ; it is egg-shaped (ovate) in form, 

 and assumes a somewhat drooping or bent attitude 

 on the fruit-stalk, a feature which, in a greater 

 or less degree, characterises the capsules of many 

 mosses, and is an important item in their diag- 

 nosis. Such capsules are said to be cernuous. 

 A reference to Plate IV. a will show some of the 

 more familiar variations in this matter of the 

 position of the capsule as regards the fruit-stalk. 

 Thus the capsule given in fig. 9 is erect ; in 

 fig. 6 it assumes a horizontal position; in fig. 7 

 the bend in the stalk is very pronounced; while 

 in fig. 8 the capsule droops so much that 



