MOSSES W II 11 \ HAND-LENS | I 



THE HOOKED MOSSES 



GROWING on stones, earth, and decayed wood in shaded 

 swamps, on edges of brooks, and shores of lakes and streams 

 will be found another type of Hypnum with strongly 

 ?ecund and hooked leaves. These mosses belong to the sub- 

 genus Harpidium. As a rule the Hooked Mosses are much larger 



Fig. 33. Hypnum uncinatum x 1 ; capsules x 10. 



than the true Hypnums and are seldom or never regularly pin- 

 nate. The leaves at the end of the branches are specially notice- 

 able for their hook-like appearance. Mounted and examined 

 with a high-power lens, the leaves will be seen to have a well 

 developed midrib, which at once distinguishes them from those 

 of the true Hypnums. 



The species of this subgenus are, perhaps, the most puzzling 

 of any of the Hypnum Family and it is entirely useless to en- 

 deavor to enable anybody to distinguish the species without the 

 use of a compound microscope. 



The species figured {Hypnum uncinbtum Hedw.) is the most 

 common member of the subgenus. It is most frequently found 

 on damp stones, more rarely on soil. The capsules are usually 

 produced freely, maturing in autumn. 



