52 MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



They are often mistaken for small forms of the Running Pine 

 {Lycopodiuni). These mosses are common in moist or wet soil, 

 particularly in wooded swamps, where their favorite habitat is 

 around the bases of stumps, trees, or other similar elevations. 

 They are also found in moist grassy places, but rarely fruit in the 

 latter habitat, and infrequently in the former. The erect tree- 

 like shoots grow from stolons that are partially or wholly under 

 ground. These continue to grow horizontally, producing new 

 shoots each year. 



We have two species, the European Tree Moss \Climacium 

 dendroides (L.) Web. & Mohr.] and the American Tree Moss 

 (C. Americanum Brid.). The leaves of the American Tree Moss 

 are usually much more closely appressed when dry and are much 

 more conspicuously auricled ; its capsules are nearly twice as long 

 as those of the European Tree Moss. Both species mature the 

 capsules in autumn. The European Tree Moss is a native of 

 America as well as of Europe, but it was first described from the 

 Old World. It is more common northwards, while the American 

 Tree Moss is more common southwards. Both species are com- 

 mon in New England. 



A third form of the Tree Mosses is common in swamps in 

 the southern portion of our range. It grows close to the water 

 and often down into it. It is prostrate or creeping, and rarely if 

 ever assumes a tree-like habit. It has previously been called a 

 variety of the American Tree Moss (C. Americanum var. Kind- 

 bergii R. & C), or Kindberg's Tree Moss. It is named after 

 Dr. N. Conrad Kindberg, of Linkoeping, Sweden, who has de- 

 termined Professor Macoun's Canadian Mosses. This form is very 

 abundant in the swamps of Long Island. It looks like a very 

 coarse Hypnum with large erect symmetric capsules. It fruits 

 freely, the capsules maturing in early autumn,' 



