8 MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



mentioned above. I, however, have met with it much less fre- 

 quently. It is at once distinguished from the Alpine Pogonatum 

 by its straight erect capsule, which is scarcely to be distinguished 

 from that of the Slender Pogonatum. It is usually smaller than 

 the Alpine Pogonatum and much larger than the Slender Pogo- 

 natum, but is so variable that this is not to be depended upon. 

 Its leaves, however, will serve to distinguish it readily from the 

 Slender Pogonatum when its size is deceptive. The capsules 

 mature in autumn. 



Those who climb mountains will find on all alpine heights a 

 fourth species, the Hair-like Pogonatum. It has broad leaves 

 like those of the Urn-like Pogonatum, but they are much more 

 strongly curved when dry. It is also much smaller, with simple 

 unbranched stems and shorter capsules. 



Capsule curved, long-beaked, Alpine Pogonatum, 



. . . .... [Pogonatum alp\num (L.) Roehl.] 



Capsule erect, straight, short-beaked, 2. 



Plants small, unbranched 3. 



Plants larger, branched and variously divided, 



. Urn like Pogonatum [P. urnigerum (L.) Beauv.] 

 Alpine, growing close together; leaves numerous, 



. Hair- like Pogonatum [P. capillare (Mx.) Brid.] 

 Plants of lowlands, growing scattered ; leaves few, . . 

 . Slender Pogonatum [P. tenue (Menzies) E. G. Britton.] 



THE CATHARINEAS 



THE Catharineas are very closely related to the Hair-caps, but 

 have the calyptra nearly bald. It is merely roughened 

 with a few vestigial hairs. 

 The Wavy Catharinea is one of the very common mosses, 

 occurring everywhere in eastern North America. It grows best 

 on moist shady banks of brooks. It can be easily recognized by 

 its long, slender, slightly curved capsules and leaves strongly 

 crisped when dry. 



The Narrow-leaved Catharinea resembles the Wavy Cath- 

 arinea very closely, but grows in dryer, more sandy soil, and is 

 usually much smaller with narrower straighter capsules, as shown 

 in the cut. The only sure way to distinguish them is to mount 

 the leaves in water and study with the lens. The differences are 



