12 



MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



Fig. 7. a, Dicranum scoparium X 1. a, 

 Capsule X s- b, -#• fuscescens X 1. b'. Cap- 

 sule and calyptra x 5. 



There are eighteen or 

 twenty species of Dicra- 

 num within our range, 

 but of these only six are 

 common or easy enough 

 of recognition to warrant 

 treatment here. These 

 six are best treated in 

 three groups. The first 

 group contains two spe- 

 cies with single curved 

 capsules, the Broom 

 Moss ( Die ran urn sco- 

 parium (L.) Hedw.) and 

 the Fuscous Dicranum 

 (D.fuscescens Turn.) 



The second group con- 

 tains two species with 

 clustered curved cap- 

 sules, the Wavy Dicranum (D. undulatum Ehrh.) and Drum- 

 mond's Dicranum {D. Drummdndii C. Muell.) 



The third group, two species with single erect straight cap- 

 sules, the Flagellate Dicranum (D. flagellar e Hedw.), and the 

 Fulvous Dicranum (D. fulvum Hook.) The capsules of the 

 former are often as erect and straight as those of the latter, 

 although not so represented in the plate. 



The distinctions between the Broom Moss and the Fuscous 

 Dicranum are well brought out in the figures. The Broom Moss 

 grows on decayed wood, but more frequently on soil, stones, and 

 roots of trees. The plants are larger, with leaves secund but not 

 crisped when dry ; capsules longer, more slender and not furrowed 

 when dry. The Fuscous Dicranum grows on rotten wood ; the 

 plants are smaller and finer, with leaves crisped when dry ; the 

 capsules shorter and furrowed when dry. The Broom Moss gets 

 its name from its resemblance in miniature to a hair broom or 

 counter brush. It is often used by florists to form banks of green 

 in show windows. It is much more common than the Fuscous 

 Dicranum and is found everywhere throughout our range. 



The Wavy Dicranum is the largest and most beautiful of our 

 species, and while common, does not fruit freely in most locali- 

 ties. It grows on the ground and rocks in woods; its leaves are 

 secund but have a beautiful silky gloss, due in part to their being 



