DICRANELLA. 8l 



districts, forms occur having the capsule very short, gibbous and rounded, and almost 

 smooth as in D. cerviculata, differing only - in the non-strumose neck ; the leaf 

 characters being those of D. heteromalla. 



The var. sericea is an exceedingly pretty and distinct form, and bears some super- 

 ficial resemblance to forms of Blindia acuta, with which, it would seem, it has some- 

 times been confused. 



The male inflorescence in this species, as in D. rufescens also, is oval and con- 

 spicuous, so large indeed that to the naked eye it often bears a resemblance to the fruit 

 of a Pleuridium, and the plant might easily be taken at first sight for a species of that 

 genus. 



2. Dicranella cerviculata Schp. (Dicranum cerviculatum 



Hedw.) (Tab. XV. B.). 



Smaller in all its parts than the last species, which it much 

 resembles ; yellowish green, short ; leaves less falcate, with a 

 more distinct half-sheathing leaf-base, more abruptly narrowed 

 into the limb, less sharply denticulate and often nearly entire 

 above ; nerve very broad ; cells longer and narrower, 6-jo times 

 as long as broad at base, narrow and elongate above. Seta shorter, 

 capsule smaller, more swollen and arcuate, gibbous, with a 

 distinctly strumose neck; smooth, very faintly and irregularly 

 plicate when dry and empty. 



Var. fi. pusilla Schp. (Dicranum pusillum Hedw.) Shorter, 

 leaves smaller, suberect ; capsule smaller, less gibbous. 



Hab. Peaty banks and sides of ditches. Not uncommon. The var. j8 in 

 similar localities and sometimes with the type. Fr. summer. 



A species quite distinct in its short, roundish capsule with a distinct struma. 



3. Dicranella crispa Schp. (Dicranum crispum Ehrh.) 



(Tab. XV. C). 



In small, loose tufts, yellowish ; stems short (J inch) ; leaves 

 flexuose-squarrose , slightly crisped when dry, from a broad sub- 

 sheathing base abruptly narrowed to a long flexuose subula, 

 minutely denticulate at apex ; nerve narrow, not excurrent ; cells 

 all rectangular, narrow above, at base wider, 4-8 times as long as 

 broad. Capsule small, erect, oval or obovate, distinctly and 

 regularly striate, when dry and empty somewhat urceolate, on a 

 reddish seta ; lid with a straight or slightly curved subulate beak. 

 Male inflorescence on a separate branch or a different plant. 



Hab. Wet sandy ground ; rare. Fr. late summer. 



A rare species, readily known by its erect, symmetrical, striate capsule, and its 

 leaves suddenly dilated and sheathing at base, with narrow cells compared with the 

 other species having a similar leaf-base. 



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