MOSSES 57 



end (Plate III. fig. 15a) ; or it may take a more 

 or less sharp bend just before it joins the capsule, 

 in which case the latter is inclined or cernuous 

 (Plate IV. figs. 4 and 6); or it may assume a 

 more drooping form, when the capsule is de- 

 scribed as pendulous (Plate III. fig. 21) ; while, 

 in the more extreme instance given at Plate IV. 

 fig. 3 the fruit-stalk and capsule of the Common 

 Cord-moss (Funaria hygrometrica) it is long and 

 very flexible, and bends quite round upon itself. 

 These various forms which the fruit-stalk assumes 

 are further exemplified by figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 

 of Plate IV.a. Moreover, in some cases, when the 

 stalk is examined with a good lens, the surface 

 will be seen to be covered with numerous slight 

 prominences, giving it a rough appearance. 

 Plate IV. fig. 6, which represents the capsule 

 and fruit-stalk of the Velvet Feather-moss (Brachy- 

 thecium velutinwn) well illustrates this, while at 

 fig. 7 is a small portion of the same stalk more 

 highly magnified, and showing the roughness 

 much more clearly. Compare these two figures 

 with figs. 4 and 5 of the same plate, in which 

 are given the bent capsule and smooth fruit-stalk 

 of another equally common moss, inhabiting 

 similar localities ; here the stalk is quite free 

 from any sign of roughness. In some few in- 

 stances we meet with fruit-stalks in which the 

 upper part only is rough, while the lower portion 

 is smooth, but such cases are comparatively rare. 



