FISSIDENS. 121 



3. Fissidens pusillus Wils. (Tab. XX. C). 



Closely resembling the last, but with the leaves much 

 narrower and more acute, the uppermost pair especially being 

 often much elongated, and slightly falcate in outline, the border 

 slightly stronger, the inflorescence more frequently dioicous. 

 Capsule erect or inclined; lid shortly rostellate. Peristome 

 inserted below the mouth. 



Var. /3. madidus Spruce (F. minutulus Sull., Braithw. Br. M. 

 Fl., p. 81). Rather taller, with more numerous, longer and 

 narrower leaves. Capsule rather narrower, lid longer, obliquely 

 rostrate, sometimes as long as the capsule. Usually, but not 

 always autoicous. 



Hab. Shady rocks, principally sandstone. Not uncommon. The var. j8 on 

 dripping rocks, rare. Fr. autumn. 



The long, narrow, very acute leaves distinguish this plant from F. viridulus, but 

 specimens may often be found with the leaves broader and more approaching that 

 plant. The cells are usually a little larger and more pellucid in F. pusillus. The 

 brown radicular tomentum from which the stems springs is often very copiously pro- 

 duced and conspicuous. It is rather curious that whereas F. viridulus is found on no 

 particular matrix, the var. Lylei seems to be almost confined to chalk, and F. pusillus 

 to sandstone rocks. I find, however, a plant on the oolitic limestone in Northampton- 

 shire, which I can only refer to the present species, with smaller, still narrower leaves 

 than the type, and with the border very faint and occasionally almost obsolete. 



4. Fissidens incurvus Starke. (Tab. XX. D.). 



Resembling F. viridulus, but rather larger ; leaves broadly 

 oblong-lanceolate, rather obtuse and apiculate, narrowly bordered, 

 more widely at base ; seta longer, flexuose, bright red, capsule 

 cernuous or horizontal, unequal, often arcuate, oval or shortly 

 cylindric, larger. Male flower on a very short basal branch. 



Hab. Clay banks, etc. Frequent. Fr. winter. 



The form of the capsule is almost the only distinguishing feature between this and 

 F. viridulus ; in its typical form it is quite a different looking plant, but forms 

 occur with shorter, less curved capsules, and these must be looked upon as inter- 

 mediate links. The fruit-stalk is usually taller, of a brighter red ; when in fruit and 

 closely tufted the plant bears a superficial resemblance to Dicranella varia. 



5. Fissidens tamarindifoliusWils. (Hypnum tamarindifolium 

 Don ; F. incurvus var. tamarindifolius Braithw., Br. M. Fl.) 



(Tab. XX. E.). 



Closely allied to F. incurvus, but very different in habit. 

 Stems taller, slender, fasciculate at the base with barren shoots ; 



