HANDBOOK OF BRITISH HEPATICJE. 199 



Gymnocolea inflata, Dumort. Rev. Jung, 

 p. 17. 



Moist heaths and boggy places. (Fr. Mar. Ap.) 

 var. a compacta, Carr. 



A curious variety with inflated umbilicate 

 perianths, and very short tufted stems. 



var. y laxa, Carr. 

 On heaths and bogs. 



Growing in densely-matted patches of con- 

 siderable extent, deep green, nearly black. 

 Stems i to | inch or more, procumbent, 

 filiform, simple, or with two or 

 three scattered branches, now and 

 then innovant. Leaves bifarious, 

 distant in the lower part of the 

 stem, imbricated above, horizontal, 

 spreading or erect, frequently con- 

 cave, divided less than half way by 

 an acute sinus (fig. 142). Perichaetial 

 leaves similar and smaller. Calyx 

 terminal, at first nearly spherical, 

 then pear-shaped or obovate, with a 

 tapering base, somewhat plicate above, mouth con- 

 tracted, with a few obtuse unequal teeth. Capsule 

 slightly furrowed. Elaters bispiral. 



i " The singular form of the full-grown calyx, the 

 obtuse segments of the leaves, together with the 

 deep olive, almost black, colour, are marks by which 

 this may be known from every other species." 

 Hooker. 



