126 



MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



rule the Hooked Mosses are much larger than the true Hyp- 

 nums and are seldom or never regularly pinnate. The leaves at 

 the end of the branches are specially noticeable for their hook- 

 like appearance. Mounted and examined with a high-power 

 lens, the leaves will be seen to have a well developed midrib, 

 which at once distinguishes them from those of the true 

 Hypnums. 



The species of this subgenus are, perhaps, the most puzzling 

 of any of the Hypnum Family and it is entirely useless to en- 

 deavor to enable anybody to distinguish the species without the 

 use of a compound microscope. 



HYPNUM UNCINATUM Hedw., the species figured, is the most 

 common member of the subgenus. It is most frequently found 

 on damp stones, more rarely on soil. The capsules are usually 

 produced freely, maturing in autumn. 



AMBLYSTEGIUM. 



Most Amblystegiums are very slender creeping mosses with 

 capsules which are often disproportionately large and which 

 usually take the peculiar position shown in Fig. 60, 31 and 32, 

 when dry. This peculiar shrinking is not always present; it is 

 lacking in 'A. adnatum which has been treated in connection 



FIGURE 60. 



Plants of Amblystegium serpens natural size and capsules 

 much enlarged. 



