CATHARINEA. 35 



central, with suddenly acuminate almost entire bracts, surrounded 

 by a row o( archegonia. Two or more capsules are produced 

 from the same perichsetium ; subsequently the axis is produced 

 as in C. undulata, so that the fruitstalks, which are persistent for 

 a year or more, appear lateral, a new inflorescence and fruit 

 being formed at the fresh apex in the following year ; in this way 

 the old fruitstalks of one or two years' growth may be seen on 

 the side of the stem. Capsule narrowly cylindric, suberect, hardly 

 curved ; lid as long as the capsule. 



Hab. On sandy soil or clay, in woods, on heaths, &c. , very common. The var. 

 18 in drier, stony places. The var. 7 very rare ; on damp shady banks near Brox- 

 bourne, Herts. ; ( Vaizey). Fr. late autumn and winter. 



A very common plant, with the aspect of which the student soon becomes 

 familiar ; it has little resemblance to any other species — beyond those of its own 

 genus — except Mnhim undulaluvi, which might sometimes be confused with it, but 

 which is easily distinguished by its marginal teeth being single, not in pairs, the basal 

 cells not regularly rectangular, the broader margin, percurrent nerve, &c. The 

 characters distinguishing it from C. angustata and C. crispa are described under those 

 species. 



Within slight limits it shows a considerable variation, chiefly in the form and size 

 of capsule, the apex of the leaves more or less acute, and the amount of their undula- 

 tions ; the var. minor is not much more than a starved form, and may be found grow- 

 ing with the type with intermediate forms. 



The var. Haussknechtii, of which I have not seen any specimens, has only been 

 found within the last few years, or perhaps it would be more correct to say that it has 

 only recently been distinguished from C. undulata. It was first recorded as a British 

 plant by J. R. Vaizey (Ann. Bot. ii, 69) in 1888, under the name of C. lateralis 

 Vaizey. It has been found sparingly in several European countries, and is possibly 

 the same as the N. American Atrichum undulatum var. attenuatum B. & S. After 

 reading the descriptions of C. Haussknechtii, the question can hardly fail to arise 

 whether it is really anything more than an abnormal state of C. undulata, much as the 

 var. inconstans is of Fissidens bryoides. I can hardly think that the difference in the 

 inflorescence, which, however distinct a habit it may produce, is not in itself a very 

 important one, can alone justify its being accorded specific rank ; and considering tjie 

 great variety in form of leaf and capsule in C. undttlata, the other characters above 

 described must be held to have even less weight. I have, therefore, classed it as a 

 variety, while admitting that such a conclusion, being arrived at without the study 

 of specimens, can be provisional only. Mr. Bagnall finds various forms of the present 

 species in one or two localities in Warwickshire, some with as many as six setoe within 

 one perichajtium, others with stems twice or more branched and producing fruits from 

 each branch, the leaves and capsules also showing considerable divergence from the 

 typical form. 



A continental species, C. tenella Rohl, has been described as British, but the 

 plants that have been so named appear to be all referable to this species or its variety 

 minor ; the true C. tenella is dioicous, of a deep green colour, with shorter, hardly un- 

 dulated leaves with fewer lamelke, and a much shorter inclined capsule. 



2. Oatharinea angustata Brid. (Atrichum angustatum 

 B. & S., Schp. Syn.) (Tab. IX. E.). 



Much like small forms of the preceding species, but with 

 short, simple stems, and of a more reddish tint. Leaves crowded, 

 straighter and more erect, oblong-lanceolate, shorter, obtuse, less 



