4 8 



MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



THE PLAGIOTHECIUMS 



THE stems and branches of the Plagiotheciums grow close to 

 that upon which the plant grows (substratum) and the 

 leaves are apparently in two rows, giving the plants a flat- 

 tened appearance like that of the Dark and the Light Beaked 



Fijar. 40. a, Plagiothecium denticulatum X 2. b, Three capsules of the same 

 X 10. c, Capsules of P. sylvaticum X 10. 



Mosses. They are readily separated from these Beaked Mosses by 

 the fact that the Plagiotheciums have leaves without a midrib or 

 else with a very short and double midrib. The capsules are also 

 an aid, as they are long and slender like those of Hypnum 

 proper. The species are numerous and difficult to determine. 



There are two species everywhere present that may perhaps 

 be recognized with the aid of a brief description and the accom- 

 panying cuts. Both these species grow on humus in damp woods 

 and shaded places ; they grow at the base of trees and about rocks 

 when there is a slight layer of humus for their nutrition. 



The Slender Plagiothecium [P. denticulatum (L.) B. & S.] 

 is more slender in habit and has nearly symmetrical suberect cap- 

 sules with the lid not beaked. The Woodsy Plagiothecium 

 [P. sylvaticum (Huds. ) B. & S.] is generally a much coarser 

 plant with larger, curved and cernuous capsules having a long- 

 beaked lid. The capsules of both species mature in summer. 



