BARBULA. 197 



* Barbula Vinealis Brid. (B. cylindrica var. vinealis Braithw., 

 Br. M. Fl.) (Tab. XXIX. I.). 



Resembling the above, but shorter, of a more dusky colour, 

 in denser tufts. Leaves shorter, straighter, narrower in the 

 point, margin recurved to above the middle. Capsule shorter, 

 with a usually rather shorter lid. 



Hab. Walls, roots of trees, etc. Frequent. Fr. spring. 



Usually known from B. cylindrica without much difficulty by its straighter, 

 shorter, more acute leaves ; intermediate forms, however, may sometimes be found, 

 and it is not without hesitation that I have allowed the present plant to rank as a sub- 

 species rather than as a simple variety of that species. In some respects it more 

 closely resembles B. rigidula ; but the leaves in that are usually rather wider, with 

 the upper cells less obscure and almost smooth, and with a narrow, distinct, opaque, 

 almost cuspidate point. 



8. Barbula sinuosa Braithw. (Dicranella sinuosa Wils. MS. ; 

 Didymodon sinuosus Schp., Syn.) (Tab. XXIX. J.). 



Deep or yellowish green, in low flat patches or small tufts 

 rarely an inch high, usually much shorter, but often more robust 

 than B. cylindrica. Leaves larger, longer, linear-lanceolate or 

 widely linear from a narrow -oblong base, much curled when dry, 

 with the margin plane or very slightly recurved below, in the 

 upper half very sin uo se, notched, irregular and fragile, at apex 

 often coarsely and irregularly denticulate ; cells resembling 

 those of B. cylindrica, but more distinct, pellucid, and regular, 

 and very slightly larger, at base rectangular, usually lax, hyaline 

 and thin-walled. 



Hab. Walls and stones chiefly in calcareous districts. Not uncommon. Fruit 

 unknown. 



In the absence of fruit the position of this curious moss must remain uncertain, 

 but I am unable to attribute to it a very close affinity with B. cylindrica. I have 

 gathered it in many localities, principally in the Midlands, and have, always found it 

 Temarkably constant, and never showing the slightest tendency to approach that 

 species or B. vinealis, with both of which I have found it growing, and indeed inter- 

 mixed, always retaining its peculiar characteristics. The form of the leaves, often 

 almost linear, not very much wider at the base than in the middle, their more solid 

 texture, yellowish colour, and more distinct areolation, frequently very thin, lax and 

 hyaline at the base, are points which, considering their constancy, have considerable 

 value as specific characters, quite apart from the peculiar configuration of the upper 

 part of the leaf, which might be considered, however constant, if not pathological, 

 still of secondary importance. In this latter respect it bears a certain resemblance to 

 Trichostomum tenuirostre, but that has narrower more acute leaf-points, the margins 

 -quite plane, the basal areolation still more lax and hyaline, and the upper cells more 

 •obscure. 



