120 BBITI8H MOSSJES. 



Plate XVI. 



RACOMITEIUM. 

 Fig. 1. Generic Character. 



Capsule (ft) erect^ smooth, elliptical or cylindrical ; lid conical-subulate, 

 straight, or slightly oblique ; annulus very large ; calyptra conical, mitre-shaped, 

 much divided at the base ; peristome (b) of sixteen thread-like (filiform) teeth, 

 very irregular, long in some species, short in others. Stems long, dichotomously 

 branched ; branches mostly of equal height (fastigiate) ; leaves often hair-pointed, 

 areolae (c) very minute, disposed in rows, forming elongated cellules. 



Growing in thick cushions and tufts upon rocks in mountainous districts ; very 

 woolly. 



I. Stems dichotomously branched; branches {innovations^ fastigiate^ simple. 



{Dryptodon of some botanists.) 



Pig. 2. Racomiteitoi ellipticum. 



Ovalfruited Woolly Moss (a) . 

 Colour. Blackish. 



Stems. The shortest of the genus, about one inch in length. 

 Leaves (i) . Lanceolate-oblong, thick and rigid ; nerve very strong, margin 



thickened. 

 Moivers and Fruit. Dioicous ; capsule roundish ; seta short and stout. Winter. 

 Locality. Moist Alpine rocks, micaceous or schistose. 



Fig. 3. Racomiteium aciculaee. 



Yelloiv Woolly Moss (a) . 

 Colour. Yellow green. 



Stems. Long, loosely tufted, upright ; very leafy. 

 Leaves (6). Broad, nerve ceasing below the apex ; margin recurved. 

 Flowers and Fruit. Dioicous. Capsule cylindrical ; lid long. Winter. 

 Locality. Wet rocks, near mountains. 



