WEISIA. 211 



Leaves crowded and much larger at the tip of the stem, resembling 

 the last in form, but less rounded at apex and often sub-acute; 

 basal hyaline cells fewer, much smaller, 2-3 times as long as Iroad, 

 the upper more opaque and more strongly papillose. Capsule 

 variable in form, lid longer, conical with an oblique rostellate 

 beak. 



Var. /3. viridula C. M. (Gymnost. viridulum Brid.). Very 

 short, darker green ; leaves shorter, more obtuse; capsule very 

 small, ovate. 



Hab. Limestone rocks in shady situations ; very rare ; Derbyshire. The var. 

 0, Scotland. Fr. very rare, summer. 



A very pretty, delicate moss, common in the Mediterranean region of the 

 continent, rarer and mostly sterile further north ; very variable, but distinguishable 

 from W. tenuis as above described, and as pointed out under that species, and not 

 much like any other moss in its leaf form and habit, though W. rupestris might be 

 mistaken for it ; the latter is however a more robust plant, usually of a duller green 

 and in taller, more swollen tufts, with more acute leaves. 



12. Weisia rupestris C. M. (Gymnost. rupestre Schleich., 



Schp. Syn. et plur. auct. ; Mollia aeruginosa Lindb., Braithw. 



Br. M. Fl.) (Tab. XXXI. E.). 



In compact, swollen tufts, \ — 3 or 4 inches high ; dull olive 

 green or more rarely deep bright green above ; stems slender, 

 branched. Leaves crowded, often in interrupted tufts, erecto- 

 patent, when dry appressed and lightly twisted, the uppermost 

 more strongly so but hardly curled ; small, short, oblong-lanceolate 

 or linear-lanceolate, shortly tapering, sub-acute, slightly concave, 

 plane or nearly so at margin, which is crenulate with papillae ; 

 nerve thick, reddish, becoming narrower and more indistinct near 

 apex and lost at the point; cells at base shortly rectangular, 

 firm, pellucid, in all the rest of the leaf small, quadrate-rounded, 

 obscure, papillose, incrassate. Seta rather short, 1-2 lines ; 

 capsule small, oval or narrowly elliptical, thin-walled, when dry 

 and empty pale yellowish brown and glossy, with a reddish mouth, 

 narrower than or equal to the width of the middle of the capsule, 

 gymnostomous ; lid with an oblique shortly subulate beak, pale. 

 Spores small, 10-14 /*• 



Var. /3. ramosissima C. M. (Gymnost. rupestre var. ramos- 

 issimum B. & S.). Tall, slender, much branched ; leaves shorter, 

 more erect, seta shorter, capsule oblong. 



Hab. Wet rocks, most abundant in limestone districts ; the var. fl, Derbyshire. 

 Fr. late summer and autumn. 



