72 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH MOSSES. 



stems pinnate, with short, often flagelliform, flattened, simple 

 or pinnate branches ; leaves oblong or tongue-shaped, abruptly 

 apiculate, not undulated, nerveless or with two short nerves 

 at the base, the apex, toothed ; leaf-cells narrow, elongated, 

 showing the primordial vesicle very distinctly; fruitstalk 

 projecting far beyond the perichsetial leaves; sporangium 

 elliptical, erect, symmetrical; lid long, with an oblique beak; 

 veil with a long abrupt beak, smooth or slightly hairy, cover- 

 ing the sporangium. 



This species has very much the habit of Homalia, differ- 

 ing from Neckera in not having undulated leaves, but agreeing 

 in the inner peristome being divided almost to the base. The 

 cells of the leaves, though the structure is essentially the same, 

 are also more crowded and narrower than in Homalia tricho- 

 manoides, to which it has much external resemblance. It 

 differs from that remarkably in being dioicous. It is found 

 in North America. Though a common species, it rarely pro- 

 duces fruit. 



7. HOMALIA, Brid. 



Sporangium unsymmetrical ; fruitstalk elongated; veil 

 hood-shaped, peristome double, outer of sixteen teeth trabe- 

 culate within, inner a membrane divided above into sixteen 

 processes, without intermediate cilia; leaves flat, not undulated. 



Schimper is inclined to place this genus in a distinct Order 

 from its connection with some exotic forms, but the needless 

 multiplication of Orders as well as genera is, we think, to be 

 greatly deprecated. The name is derived from o/AaXbs, plane, 

 in allusion to the flattened leaves. 



1. Homalia trichomanoides, Br. §• Schimp. ; irregularly 

 pinnate ; leaves flat, at length curved down, oblongo-falciform, 

 obtuse, minutely toothed above, with one often obscure nerve 



