194 TORTULACE^. 



so; lid long, acutely subulate-rostrate ;" peristome deep red, 

 long, delicate, much twisted, with a very narrow basal membrane. 

 Dioicous. 



Var. p. brevifolia Schultz. (Tortula brevifolia Sm.). 

 Slender, often decumbent ; leaves short, ovate-lanceolate, broad 

 at point, hardly twisted when dry ; capsule small, peristome 

 shorter. 



Hab. Banks, waste places, walls, etc. ; common. The var. $, fallow fields and 

 bare ground. Fr. winter. 



A variable plant ; in the typical, robust form generally known by its tapering, 

 spreading and even recurved leaves, and the very acute lid, but liable in some states 

 to be confused with B. rigidula, B. spadicea, and other species. The areolation, 

 almost uniform to the base, will easily distinguish it from B. cylindrica, B. vinealis, 

 and B. rigidula ; the narrower nerve and somewhat less distinct areolation will 

 separate short-leaved forms from B. lurida ; for the differences between it and B. 

 spadicea see under that species. Occasionally forms are found very near B. 

 recurvifolia, which is hardly separable except by a tout ensemble of characters ; the 

 short, much recurved, highly papillose leaves, with the red colour, not being found 

 simultaneously on any form of the present plant. 



The leaves of B. fallax vary much in the degree of tapering of their points, in the 

 relative papillosity, and in the areolation ; the latter is usually distinct and rounded in, 

 the upper part, often arranged in regular series, but it is frequently found small, 

 irregular and more opaque, as in B. spadicea. In the perichsetial bracts in this and 

 allied species the basal cells are more lax and rectangular than in the leaves. 



The variety brevifolia is a marked one (though intermediate forms may be 

 found), often of an olive brown or purplish colour, very slender, and with the fruit 

 usually sparingly produced ; and very distinct in appearance owing to the small, short 

 leaves. It has some resemblance to B. lurida ; but the nerve is narrower, the leaves 

 less concave and usually more acute. 



* Barbula recurvifolia Schp. (Tortula fallax var. recurvifolia 



Wils. ; Barbula reflexa Brid., Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) 



(Tab. XXIX. E.). 



Differs from B. fallax in the deep reddish brown tint, the 

 leaves strongly squar rose-recurved , somewhat trifarious in their 

 arrangement, broad and short, shortly and abruptly pointed, 

 hardly tapering, the margins less strongly recurved, the cells and 

 back of nerve more highly papillose, the nerve not excurrent. 

 Fruit as in B. fallax, but rare. 



Var. /3. robusta (B. reflexa var. robusta Braithw.). Tall, 

 3-5 inches high, in loose tufts ; leaves closer, broader and 

 thicker. 



Hab. Sand and earth ; not common. The var. 0, Sligo (Moore). 



While fully agreeing with those writers (Boulay, Husnot, etc. ) who unite this 

 with B. fallax, I am inclined to think it must stand higher than a variety, as the 

 characters, though all vegetative, are not unimportant, and are fairly constant. 

 Forms of B. fallax, indeed, have the same short, broadly pointed leaves, others have 



