MOSSES Willi A HAND-LENS 



39 





Fig. 31. Ilvpnum Haldanianum x 2 ; branch < 5 ; capsule • 10. 



The Common Hypnum in appearance is very little like the 

 species previously described; the leaves are straight and 

 equally spreading on all sides, not secund. The capsules are 

 cylindrical and somewhat curved, much like those of the Pinnate 

 Hypnum, only larger. They mature in late autumn or winter, 

 but remain in fairly good condition until the next summer. 



The Long-capsuled Brachythecium [B. oxycladon (Brid.) 

 J. & S.] sometimes grows on decaying wood and then is scarcely 

 to be distinguished from the Common Hypnum with certainty 

 unless the leaves be examined with a high-power lens, when they 

 will be seen to have a strong midrib. The capsules are usually 

 much darker than those of the Common Hypnum. The usual 

 habitat of the Long-capsuled Brachythecium is on moist ledges 

 and rocks. 



