84 DICRANACE/E. 



A very variable species, as its name implies, especially in size, and in the form of 

 the capsule. Some of the varietal forms, e.g., var. tenella, resemble the previous 

 species, but that is a. more delicate moss, and the capsule is different, as also the 

 colour of the plant. D. varia usually has the leaves bright green and the seta and 

 capsules deep red. The smooth capsule and the different form and texture of the 

 leaves will serve to distinguish it from the other species. 



The var. j3 has somewhat the same relationship to the type as the var. elata bears 

 to D. Schreberi ; I have found both these varieties growing together, in wet spots, and 

 probably excess of moisture has something to do with the variation in question. 



8. Dicranella Grevilleana Schp. (Dicranum Grevilleanum 

 B. & S. ; Anisothecium Grevillei Lindb., Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) 



(Tab. XV. H.). 



Nearly allied to D. Schreberi. Plants of a more shining 

 yellowish green, about a quarter of an inch high or rather more ; 

 leaves from a rather wider sheathing base, more abruptly 

 contracted into a narrower flexuose subula, which is quite entire 

 or only very faintly denticulate at apex ,- cells rather narrower , 

 firmer. Capsule shorter, very faintly striated when dry, with a 

 short indistinctly swollen neck ; lid variable in length, shortly 

 rostellate or subulate-rostrate from a conical base. Dioicous or 

 more rarely autoicous. 



Hab. Damp earth in mountainous regions. Very rare. Glen Tilt ; Glen 

 Shee ; Ireland. Fr. summer. 



The differences between this and the next species are very slight ; the one, how- 

 ever, is an alpine plant, the other an inhabitant of the lowlands ; the almost entire 

 margin and narrower areolation of the leaves, together with the short, faintly striate 

 capsule, will serve to distinguish it from D. crispa. 



9. Dicranella Schreberi Schp. (Dicranum Schreberi Sw. ; 



Anisothecium crispum Lindb., Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) 

 (Tab. XV. I.). 



Tufts bright or yellowish green, \-\ inch high. Leaves from 

 a broad, half-sheathing base rapidly contracted into a lanceolate- 

 subulate limb, squarrose, not glossy, irregularly denticulate 

 throughout the greater part of its length, nerve narrow, reaching 

 to the somewhat broad apex ; areolation at base rectangular, 

 rather lax and pellucid, 4-6 times as long as broad, becoming 

 shorter upwards, at the shoulder quadrate, in the limb shortly 

 rectangular or narrowly hexagono-rectangular. Capsule cer- 

 nuous, oblong, slightly curved, smooth, finally constricted in 

 front a little below the mouth, lid large, rostrate. 



Var. p. elata Schp. Closely tufted, taller, bright green ; 

 leaves broader, more obtuse and more distinctly serrated at apex, 

 cells larger, broader. 



