30 MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



There are several species of these double-toothed Mniums, 

 but the only other one readily recognizable with a simple lens is 

 the Long-leaved Mnium, whose leaves are proportionately much 

 longer and narrower, with the costa ending below the apex. It is 

 dioicous and the disc-like male heads are an additional aid in 

 identification. This species is more abundant southwards and is 

 frequent around New York City in shaded springy places, but is 

 not always easy to obtain in fruit. 



The Early Mnium grows on moist stones in the bed of brooks. 

 It matures its capsules in April, long before any other species. 

 It is at once recognized by its entire obovate leaves and beaked 

 operculum. 



The Large-leaved Mnium is said to be merely a variety of 

 the Early Mnium growing in the mud in swampy places. It is 

 often much larger than the figure, sometimes having leaves half 

 an inch long. The leaf cells are so large as easily to be seen 

 with a lens and in some cases with the naked eye of a trained 

 observer. 



KEY. 



i. Leaves entire, 2. 



Leaves serrate, 3. 



2. Growing on rocks in the bed of brooks 



Early Mnium (M. punctatum L. ) 



Growing on soil in shaded swampy places, .... 



Large-leaved Mnium (A/, punctatum elatuin Schimp. ) 



3. Capsules clustered, 



. Drum mond's Mnium (M. Drinnmondii B. & S. ) 

 Capsules single 4. 



4. Leaves serrate to base, 



Toothed Mnium \M. affine ciliare (Grev.J C. M._] 

 Base of leaves entire, 5. 



5. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 5:1, 



..... Long-leaved Mnium (M. hdrnutn L.) 

 Leaves oblong, rounded, or obovate, 6. 



6. Mouth of capsule red, 



Red mouthed Mnium (Af. spinulosum B. & S. ) 



Mouth of capsule not red, 



Woodsy Mnium (Af. sylvdticum Lindb.=J/. cuspidd- 

 tum Hedw. ) 



