MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 1 13 



HYLOCOMIUM PROLIFERUM (L.) Lindb. (H. splendens of many 

 authors), the Mountain Fern Moss, although belonging to a dif- 

 ferent genus from the other fern mosses, is best treated in con- 

 nection with them because of its similarity in form. As will 

 be seen by the figures it is much larger and has a very peculiar 

 and characteristic habit. Every year each of the main shoots of 

 the previous year develops a single fern-like shoot from the 

 middle of the upper side instead of branching out from the side 

 of the shoot as in the case of most mosses. This gives the plant 



FIGURE 52. Hylocomium proliferum X I. 



its peculiar habit and its botanical name of " proliferum." It is 

 one of the too rare cases in which the botanical name is descrip- 

 tive of the plant to which it is applied. 



This moss grows abundantly in cool moist mountain woods 

 on stones and old logs. When found growing elsewhere it is so 

 stunted as to give no idea of its beauty in its favorite habitat. 

 The capsules, which mature in autumn, though not rare, are spar- 

 ingly produced in proportion to the number of plants. When a 

 patch does fruit, however, it often fruits heavily. 



