io6 



MOSSES WITH A HAND-LENS 



Figure 46. Mnium hornum. 

 (From Bry. Fur.). Plant 

 natural size. 



those of the Woodsy Mnium. Beifore the lid has fallen its pro- 

 nounced beak is an aid in identification. In Europe the capsules 

 of this species are usually clustered, but 

 in the eastern United States I find the 

 great majority of plants with single 

 capsules. The plants also seem rather 

 smaller than the Western and European 

 forms. 



M. HORNUM L. There are several 

 species of these double-toothed Mniums, 

 but the only other one readily recogniz- 

 able with a simple lens is the Long- 

 leaved Mnium, whose leaves are pro- 

 portionately much longer and narrower, 

 with the costa ending below the apex. 

 It is dioicous and the disc-like male 

 heads are an additonal aid in identifica- 

 tion. This species is more abundant 

 southwards and is frequent around 

 New York City in shaded springy places. 

 It does not appear to fruit freely, but if one can find fruit in 

 April with the calyptra in its queer position on the seta, instead 

 of on the capsule, he can make no mistake. (See PI. 31, o.) 



M. EOSTRATUM Schrad., the Beaked Mnium, is a fairly com- 

 mon species which seems to fruit infrequently. The leaves are ob- 

 long to obovate and rounded at the apex with the costa running 

 abruptly out into a short point. They do not taper as in most 

 species, but are rounded at apex into an outline nearly semi- 

 circular. The border is strong and the teeth single, sometimes 

 rather short at the apex. The capsules are clustered and strongly 

 beaked, as in the Early Mnium, but the plants seem to spread 

 largely by stolons which form loose mats over the soil in moist 

 shaded places. The antheridia are mixed with the archegonia. 

 The spores mature in spring. 



M. PUNCTATUM L., the Early Mnium, grows on moist, stones 

 in the bed of brooks. It matures its capsules in April, long before 

 any other species. It is at once recognized by its obovate entire- 

 margined leaves and beaked operculum. 



M. PUNCTATUM ELATUM Schimp., the Large-leaved Mnium, is 

 said to be merely a variety of the Early Mnium growing in the 

 mud in swampy places. It is often much larger than the figure. 



