24 



MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



Fig. 19. Bryum 

 X 10 ; capsule X 20. 



argenteum X 4; branch 



young plants are green 

 and may easily be mis- 

 taken for something 

 else. The leaves end in 

 a slender bristle and are 

 crowded and closely 

 overlapping, making the 

 stems and branches 

 prettily julaceous. 



The capsules mature 

 in autumn, but can be 

 found in recognizable 

 condition at almost any 

 season. When fully 

 mature the seta and 

 capules are dark red. 



The Giant Bryum [B. proliferum (L.) Sibth.] is the largest 

 and showiest of 

 all our species, 

 and, when moist 

 and fully ex- 

 panded, is a 

 striking object 

 in any situa- 

 tion. The stems 

 spring from 

 stolons and are 

 nearly leafless 

 except at the 

 summit, where 

 the very large 

 leaves form a 

 rosette. Under 

 favorable cir- 

 cumstances it 

 forms large 

 mats on old rot- 

 ten logs or at 

 the base of trees 

 in rich peaty soil. 

 America or England, but reproduces freely by its stolons. 



Bryum proliferum X 1 ; leaf and cap- 



Although common, it seldom fruits in either 



flWlJUl USURY 



* C * f fege 



