B 



left high and dry, and 

 then produces abundant 

 capsules. The capsule is 

 almost sessile, and has a 

 most beautiful peristome, 

 bright red in colour, and 

 consisting of sixteen outer 

 teeth which are separate 

 and curved inwards when 

 dry, and sixteen inner 

 teeth which are joined by 

 cross bars so as to form 

 a cone-shaped lattice or 

 sieve. The spores are 

 thus held in a sort of 

 basket, and gradually 

 shaken out of the open- 

 ings. 



The other side-fruit- 

 ing mosses are very much 

 alike in general appear- 

 ance. The peristome is 

 like that of Mnium, con- 

 sisting of sixteen outer 

 teeth and sixteen 

 branched inner ones. 

 The outer peristome 

 serves to open or close 

 the mouth of the capsule 

 after the lid has fallen 

 off. The spores, when 

 moist, stick to the 

 branches of the inner 

 peristome, which, by their 

 wriggling movements 

 during drying, flick the 

 spores out in dry 

 weather. 



FlG. 30. Great Water Moss (Fontinalis). A, entire 

 small plant, reduced ; B, a leaf ; C, female branch 

 with fruit ; D. peristome. 



116 



