MOSS HABITATS. 



59 



in dense blackish tufts ; leaves almost black, except the 

 uppermost ones, which are dark green ; all are keeled on 

 the back, rather blunt, nerved almost to the tips, margins 

 turned down; fruit-stalks terminal ; capsules erect, oblong ; 

 lid slightly beaked ; calyptra split on one 

 side; peristome of sixteen perforated or 

 forked teeth. Fruiting from October to 

 April. 



Racomitrium patens is a more noble 

 species, having stems two to four inches 

 high, and growing in large, loose, green 

 tufts, on moist rocks, in Scotland and 

 Wales. The leaves are erect when dry, 

 lance-shaped, pointed, and tipped with 

 short hair-like points, keeled on the back, 

 the keel being curiously two-winged ; fruit- 

 stalk on short terminal branches ; capsule 

 narrowly egg-shaped; lid conical beaked; 

 peristome red ; calyptra five-iobed at the 

 base. Fruiting in summer. 



Pogonatmn alpinum (fig. 31) will be 

 sure to attract notice, and may be known 

 by its branched stems, about three inches 

 long; leaves dark green, long, narrow, 

 and toothed; capsule roundish, olive 

 brown, slightly enlarged at the base; lid 

 beaked; peristome of sixty-four pale teeth; 

 and hairy calyptra. Fruiting in June. 



Oligotrichuni hercynicum is nearly re- 

 lated to the last, and is abundant on some 

 of the Welsh and Scotch mountains, 

 growing in short tufts about half an inch 

 high. The leaves are dull green, thick, size. 

 or fleshy, channelled, with a broad nerve, 

 which is covered with curious rugose, wing-like processes; 

 the leaves are incurved when dry; fruit-stalk terminal; 

 capsule oblong, erect ; lid conical ; peristome of thirty- 

 two teeth ; calyptra split on one side, slightly hairy. Fruiting 

 in July. 



FIG. 31. Pogo- 

 natum alpinum, 

 3, plant natural 



