MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



133 



Two other species of Brachythecium are treated elsewhere 

 (pp. 121 and 139). 



FIGURE 66. Leaves and leaf base of Brachythecium populeum (From 

 Bry. Eur.). 



The Beaked Mosses. 



As has been previously stated, the Beaked Mosses (Eurhyn- 

 chium, Rhynchostegium, and Cirriphyllum) are very closely 

 allied to Brachythecium, differing mainly in the long-beaked oper- 

 culum. One of these, the Beaked Water Moss, has already been 

 described on page 129. 



There are several species of Beaked Mosses that belong in the 

 genus Eurliynchium that are fairly common, but it is doubtful if 

 they can be accurately determined without the aid of the com- 

 pound microscope. 



EURHYNCHIUM HiANS (Hedw.) J. & $., the Light Beaked 

 Moss, is very common on sandy soil in the lowlands. It is 

 abundant in the public parks of Brooklyn, but rarely fruits there. 

 It prefers damp places, not wet. The leaves spread so that the 

 branches appear flattened in a horizontal plane. When fresh, 

 the color is a peculiar shining light yellow-green. The branch 

 leaves are usually bluntly acute. The capsules are produced 

 sparingly, maturing in October. / 



