50 MOSSES WITH A IIAND-LKNS 



THE *ENTODONS 



THE Entodons have erect symmetric capsules, ecostate very 

 concave leaves and a beautiful glossy yellow-green color 

 that enables one to recognize them without much trouble. 

 The majority of the species are flattened, but have the appear- 

 ance of being pressed fiat instead of having the leaves apparently 

 two-ranked as in Plagiothecium. The stems and branches, how- 

 ever, are round and julaceous with closely imbricated leaves in 

 the round- stemmed Entodon [E. sedi'ictrix (Hedw.) C. Muell.], 

 which is probably the most common species in the southern por- 

 tion of our range. . It grows on rotten wood, soil, moist rocks, 

 bark of trees, etc. 



The Flat stemmed Entodon [E. cladorrhizans (Hedw.), 

 C. Muell.] is nearly always found on decayed wood, rarely on 

 soil rich in humus. Its strongly flattened stem and branches 

 easily distinguish it from the Round-stemmed Entodon. This 

 character, together with the peculiar color characteristic of the 

 genus, will differentiate it from species belonging to other genera. 

 There are a number of other American species of Entodon that 

 resemble the Flat- stemmed Entodon, but they are rare and not 

 likely to be met with. The leaves of both species are very con- 

 cave, but those of the Flat-stemmed Entodon are larger. Both 

 species mature their capsules in autumn or early winter. 



The Erect Brachythecium [B. aciwiinatwn (Hedw.) Kindb.] 

 is often mistaken for the Round-stemmed Entodon. It has a 

 similar habitat and very nearly the same range. It also has 

 julaceous light-green branches and erect symmetric capsules. 

 A careful examination of the leaves will enable one to decide at 

 once to which of the two any given specimen belongs. The 

 leaves of the Brachythecium are somewhat smaller, scarcely con- 

 cave, ovate-lanceolate and gradually acuminate, and strongly 

 costate. The Erect Brachythecium is an anomaly in the genus ; 

 it and its allies should probably be placed in a separate 

 genus. It is not related to Entodon, but is treated in connection 

 with it because of its similarity in appearance. Its capsules are 

 occasionally somewhat curved. They mature in autumn. 



* Entodon C. Mwtt.^Cytfndrothea'um B. & S. 



