206 TORTULACE^E. 



more regular and quadrate, less obscure. Capsule immersed, 

 oval, with a rather longer, persistent lid. Autoicous. Male 

 inflorescence terminal, on a short branch, gemmiform. 



Hab. On the ground in open spaces ; rare. Fr. spring. 



Distinguishable from W. ci ispa in the field by the dusky tint, the more slender 

 stems and longer, small-leaved branches, the leaves and bracts much less curled when 

 dry ; the wider leaves with plane margins and rather different areolation are also 

 characters of importance. W. Mittenii differs in the male inflorescence, in the 

 shorter, less flexuose leaves, and shorter, more spreading, fewer perichsetial bracts, 

 with the capsule less deeply immersed. 



The specific name multicapsularis is misleading, as although two capsules may 

 occasionally be found in one perichaetium, they are far more usually solitary. 



3. Weisia Mittenii Mitt. (Astomum Mittenii B. & S. ; 



Systegium Mittenii Schp., Syn. ; Mollia Mittenii Braithw., 



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



Resembling W. multicapsularis but more rigid, fragile, 

 leaves less soft and flexuose, with a stout brownish nerve, the 

 perichsetial bracts fewer, shorter, divergent ; all flexuose when 

 dry, hardly curled ; capsule less completely immersed, on a longer 

 seta. Male inflorescence usually lateral, at the base of the 

 fruiting innovation. Spores larger. 



Hab. Roadsides and fallow field near Hurstpierpoint, Sussex ; (Mitten) Fr. 

 spring. 



The general appearance of this plant is distinct, and its texture generally more 

 rigid and fragile. The fewer, shorter, divergent bracts render the capsule much more 

 apparent, but it is not really emergent, as it is entirely overtopped by the bracts ; the 

 seta is, however, considerably longer than in the previous species, being almost 

 exactly the length of the capsule itself, whereas in these it is only about half the 

 length. I do not find any difference in the size of the lid between this and W. 

 multicapsidaris. 



B. EU-WEISIA. 



Capsules exserted, rarely cleistocarpous. Plants small ; 

 leaves curled when dry. Usually terrestrial. Autoicous. 



4. Weisia rostellata Lindb. (Phascum rostellatum Brid. ; 



Mollia rostellata Lindb., Braithw. Br. M. Fl. ; Hymenostomum 



rostellatum Schp., Syn.) (Tab. XXX. J.). 



Very small, hardly a quarter of an inch high, dull green, 

 densely gregarious. Leaves spreading, flexuose or recurved, 

 crisped when dry, linear-lanceolate, margin plane, nerve 



