MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



91 



POTTIA. 



Pottia belongs in the Tortula Family, but is treated here be- 

 cause of its resemblance to Physcomitrium. Plants short, 

 branched, scattered or in tufts. Leaves soft, broad in outline, 

 enlarging upwards, ovate to oblong, casta reaching apex or be- 

 yond. Capsule erect and exserted on a straight seta, ovoid to 

 cylindric ; peristome lacking in our species. 



P. TRUNCATULA (L.) Lindb. {P. truncata Fuern.) is our only 

 common species, and will be readily recognized from the generic 

 description and the figure. It is most likely to be confused with 

 Physcomitrium, as its habitat and general appearance are some- 

 what similar. The spores mature from late autumn to early spring. 



FiGURii 37. Pottia truncatula (From Bry. Eur.). 

 I, 2, and 3. Plants natural size. 8b. Ivcaf cells. 



