76 



THE SPHAGNACEM OR PEAT-MOSSES OF 



Leaves of the divergent branches quinquefarious, imbricated, 

 erecto-patent, recurved in their upper half, or subsquarrose, all 

 with a border of two rows of very narrow cells ; the basal minute 

 ovato-lanceolate, the median ovate, elongato-lanceolate, with the 

 margin involute, and 3-4 minute teeth at apex, the uppermost 

 narrowly lanceolate, scarcely toothed. Hyaline cells with annular 

 fibres, the upper with numerous small pores on each side of cell, 

 lower lateral with large pores, which become fewer towards 

 the middle of leaf. Chlorophyllose cells very slender, com- 

 pressed, enclosed by the hyaline in the upper part of leaf, but 

 coming to both surfaces in the lower part, oval or rectangular in 

 section. 



Perichaetia clustered in the capitulum, straw-coloured or pink, 

 lower bracts ovate, acuminate, concave, recurved at apex, upper 

 elongate oblong, slightly emarginate and somewhat recurved at 

 point, convolute, without fibres or pores, often subsecund. 



Capsules but slightly exserted, small, globose, blackish brown. 

 Spores pale yellow. 



Male inflorescence purple, at the apex of subclavate branches 

 in the coma or upper fascicles ; the antheridia pale green. 



Hab. — Wet pine-woods ; rare. Fr. July. 



Europe. — Techelfer Woods, near Dorpat, frequent (Girgensohn, 1847); Kaddak 

 near Reval, AUentacken, and Appelsee (Russow) ; Jamni-Les, near Permeskiill 



o 



(Gruner); Berglunda, near Lycksele, and Wilhelmma Kyrka, Lapland (J. Ang- 

 strom, 1864); Kajana and other places in Finland (Brotherus)j Medelpad, Stode 

 (Seth). 



N. America. — Belleville, Canada (Macoun, Fowler) ; near New York (Howe, 

 Peck, Austin). 



This beautiful species may be readily known by its clavate 

 divergent branches, and the large number of them in each fascicle, 

 as well as by the small stem leaves, and the dense globose capitulum ; 

 in all other points its affinity is clearly with Spli. acnti/oliwn, from 

 which, however, it is abundantly distinct. The delicate rose colour 

 which sometimes suffuses this plant, adds very much to its elegance. 



Var. /3. squarrosuluMf Russow. 



Divergent branches longer, their leaves squarrose, with more 

 numerous pores. 



Synon.— Russow, Beitr. Torf. p. 68. Schimp. Synops. ed. 2, p. 839. 



Hab. — South Angerniannland (Fristedt) ; birch woods near Ilmazal and Dorpat, 

 and at Techelfer and Appelsee (Russow). 





