399 
peristome is similar in both genera, but the leaves of Fisse- 
dens are distichous, whilst those of Dicranum are inserted 
on all sides of the stem. The teeth of the peristome are 
bifid, and the divided limbs are usually bent back in the 
form of a flesh-hook: hence the original name of the genus 
Dicranum. 
TRIBE 4.—LEUCOBRYACEA. 
Genus 9.—LEUCOBRYUM. 
White Fork-Moss. 
Hedwig placed this moss amongst the Dicrani as the teeth 
of the peristome were similar, but the pale and sometimes 
bluish grey colour and cellular structure of the foliage suffi- 
ciently distinguishit from the Dicrani. Miller has consequently 
placed it in the Leucobryace, and he states that in viewing 
the leaves at an acute angle the prismatic colours are seen. 
It grows in moist ground, on heaths, in bogs, at the roots of 
trees, and on decaying wood. 
TRIBE 5.—DICRANACEA. 
Genus 10.—Dicranum, Hedwig. 
Fork-Moss. 
The peristome of Dicranum is similar to that of the two 
preceding genera, and at that point the similarity ceases. 
The stems of the plants of this genus are erect and branched, 
they grow vigorously in company with Bryum and Poly- 
trichum, the leaves are generally bent to one side (secund), 
they are narrow and numerous, and usually have a fine 
narrow nerve to the apex of the leaf. The capsules are seated 
on high fruit-stalks, are frequently plentiful, they are cer- 
nuous, and sometimes erect. The lid of the capsule is furnished 
with a long beak, bent somewhat to the shape of a shoemaker’s 
awl. They may be found on mountains and in valleys, in 
woods, fields, and almost everywhere, except in water. They 
usually grow in large tufts, and are frequent on old logs in 
the bush around Hobart. The fruitcrers of the city generally 
have a good supply of Dicranum in their windows; it may 
be easily distinguished from other mosses by its long bristly 
bundles of leaves, which have somewhat the appearance of 
miniature horse-tails, 
The accompanying photograph will convey a correct idea 
of the usual form of Dicranum capsule, also of the bifid 
apices of the teeth of the peristome. These photographs 
have been taken by the microscope with a 1}in. objective, a 
small camera without the lens, and an ordinary microscopic 
lamp. 
