40 HANDBOOK OF MOSSES. 



and rostrate (fig. 22, 3), and the calyptra is clothed with 

 numerous down-like hairs (fig. 22, 2). 



Hypnum triquetrum is frequent in many woods and on 

 shady banks; grows in tall, rigid, shining tufts, several 

 inches long, yellowish-green. The stems are red, and more 

 or less branched. The stem-leaves much recurved, clasping 

 the stem at the base, thence gradually tapering to an acute 

 point, minutely toothed on the margin, and striated or 

 streaked on the surface ; and with a lens two parallel veins 

 will be seen, reaching more than halfway up the leaf. The 

 fruit-stalk proceeds from the side of the stem, bearing a 

 short, slightly curved capsule, with a conical lid. The fringe 

 is double (fig. 5, 3 a, b). 



Hypnum tamarisdnum is fond of like places, and occurs 

 in loose, deep-green tufts (fig. 23). This is one of the 

 most beautiful of the feather mosses. The stem is tripinnate, 

 and more or less clothed with numerous branched thread- 

 like bodies (villi). The leaves are heart-shaped (fig. 23, 

 2), toothed on the margin, and covered on both surfaces 

 with minute projections (fig. 23, 2 a) (papillae). This moss 

 is often proliferous, i.e. produces young plants from various 

 parts of its surface. Hence the old name H. proliferum. 

 The fruit is lateral and very rarely seen. 



Dicranum scoparium is a beautiful moss occurring on 

 marly banks and in woods, growing in yellowish tufts (fig. 

 24, i). The leaves are turned to one side and curved like 

 a falchion, narrow lance-shaped, and sharply toothed. The 

 nerve is well marked (fig. 24, 3 a\ and has several project- 

 ing ridges on the back. The fruit-stalk is terminal, the 

 capsule curved, lid long and rostrate, and the fringe consists 

 of sixteen deep-red cloven teeth, beautifully marked with 

 transverse bars. Fruiting in July. 



A more noble-looking species, Dicranum majus, may also 

 be found in woods. This moss grows in great loose masses, 

 having stems often six inches long, and may be known from 

 D. scoparium by the numerous pale fruit-stalks all arising 

 from one point, the olive-green curved capsules, and the 

 longer and more tapering leaves, all curved to one side, like 

 a sickle in shape, and unaltered when dry. The two species 



