TORTULA. l8l 



<or sub-spathulate, broadly and shortly acute, concave ; margin 

 strongly revolute ; nerve yellow, excurrent in a very short mucro, 

 much thickened in the upper part of the leaf, sometimes granulose 

 •on the upper surface. Cells at base lax, thin-walled, hyaline, 

 rectangular, the marginal rather shorter, above quadrate, at apex 

 rounded-quadrate and obscure, minutely papillose. Seta short, 

 reddish, if-3 lines in length, capsule small, short, oblong, 

 cxannulate ; lid obliquely rostellate, about half the length of the 

 capsule ; peristome teeth rather short, on a short but distinct 

 basal membrane, somewhat irregular, oblique or very slightly 

 twisted, more strongly so when moist. Autoicous. 



Hab. On earth and walls, usually near the sea. Not common. Fr. spring. 



This species forms, in conjunction with one or two Continental ones, another 

 link, additional to the species of the section Pterygoneuron, between Pottia and 

 "Tortula. In the short capsule and seta, as well as in the leaf, it has much the appear- 

 ance of a Pottia, especially coming near to P. lanceolata, but besides the points of 

 difference noticed under that plant, the peristome is quite that of Tortula, and the 

 cells of the lid show a tendency to the spiral arrangement characteristic of the latter 

 jjenus. 



The thickened nerve and small leaves will readily distinguish it, even when barren, 

 from any of its nearer allies. 



The lower part of the stem is usually embedded in the soil on which it grows, 

 leaving only the upper part free, and rendering the plant even shorter in appearance 

 than it really is. 



9. Tortula cuneifolia Roth (Bryum cuneifolium Dicks. ; 

 Barbula cuneifolia Brid., Schp. Syn.) (Tab. XXVII. G.). 



Gregarious or loosely tufted, bright green, very short. 

 Upper leaves large, forming a terminal rosette, spreading, when 

 -dry slightly crisped and incurved, but not spirally twisted, broadly 

 obovate-spathulate, short, acute, or slightly acuminate, rarely 

 obtuse, concave or almost plane, thin, soft; margin plane ; nerve 

 thin, excurrent in a cuspidate point or a short mucro, very rarely 

 vanishing; cells lax and hyaline at base, above large, pellucid, 

 rounded-quadrate, thin-walled, two or three rows at margin more 

 incrassate and usually more chlorophyllose, forming a more or less 

 ■distinct border to the leaf; all smooth at back and margin. Seta 

 elongated, 4-8 lines long, reddish, capsule narrowly oblong or 

 cylindrical ; lid shortly rostellate, about \ length of capsule ; 

 peristome teeth from a rather broad basal membrane, long, strongly 

 twisted. Autoicous. 



Hab. Banks near the sea, rarely inland ; not uncommon on the south coast. 

 Fr. spring. 



