158 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH MOSSES. 



On banks and in fallow ground, from Scotland to Sussex, 

 occasionally. Bearing fruit in spring. 



The above character is copied almost verbally from the 

 ' Bryologia Britannica/ Schimper considers the species to be 

 identical with F. incurvus ; but that, according to Wilson, is 

 smaller, has longer and narrower leaves, and of a less firm tex- 

 ture, as also it differs in the presence of barren fronds and in 

 the fasciculate habit, the fruit being sometimes axillary, some- 

 times radical. 



2. 'Fruit terminal. 



4. F. polyphyllus, Wils. ; stem much elongated, simple or 

 slightly branched ; branches arcuate ; leaves crowded, erecto- 

 patent, oblong, acute, serrated above; nerve reaching to the 

 apex; dorsal lamina not decurrent; male flowers numerous, 

 axillary. — Hook, fy Wils. t. liii. 



On moist shady rocks in mountainous districts. Ireland 

 and Wales. Fruit unknown. 



Probably dioicous. Stems several inches or even a foot 

 long, slightly branched; leaves glossy, not crisped when dry, 

 entire below. 



Schimper considers this distinct from F. asplenioides, and 

 the texture and size of the leaves seem to indicate a specific 

 distinction. Mr. Wilson, however, now believes that it is the 

 male plant of F. serrulatus, Brid. (Ap. 7, 1863.) 



5. P. osmundioides, Hedw.; dioicous; densely tufted; 

 stem repeatedly dichotomous; leaves ligulate, not margined, 

 minutely toothed ; nerve not reaching to the apex ; sporangium 

 oval-oblong; lid rostrate; veil many-lobed. — Hook, fy Wils. 

 t.xxi.; Eng. Bot. t. 1662. 



On wet rocks and amongst peat in alpine or subalpine dis- 

 tricts. Bearing fruit in summer. 



Densely tufted, dark-green. Stems 1-2 inches long, re- 



