2%6 ORTHOTRICHACE^E. 



The seta is twice as long as in the last species, so that the capsule is quite exserted, 

 and its height can have no value as a generic distinction betwen Amphoridium and 

 Zygodon. The leaves are less twisted and curled when dry that in the last species ; 

 they are not at all glossy at the back, and hence the plant is in that state easily 

 distinguished from the narrower leaved species of Trichosto?num. 



3. Zygodon viridissimus Brown (Bryum viridissimum Dicks.) 

 (Tab. XXXIII. H.). 



In small bright pale green cushions or patches, ^-i inch 

 high ; leaves spreading and recurved, twisted when dry, but not 

 strongly ; oblong-lanceolate or narrowly ovate-lanceolate , acumi- 

 nate to an acute point, carinate above ; margin plane, minutely 

 crenulate with papillae ; nerve narrow, pellucid, gradually becom- 

 ing obscure and vanishing usually at some distance below apex; 

 cells at base shortly rectangular, somewhat rounded at their angles, 

 incrassate ; above rounded-hexagonal, papillose, 8-10 /1 in 

 diameter. Seta 3-5 lines long, pale ; capsule small, oval-oblong 

 or pyriform, 8-plicate, contracted at the mouth, pale yellowish 

 brown ; lid obliquely rostrate ; peristome none or rarely 

 extremely rudimentary. Dioicous. 



Var. /3. rupestris Lindb. Slightly more robust, darker green. 

 Leaves erecto-patent, not recurved, almost straight, narrower, 

 ligulate-lanceolate. 



Hab. Trees, rarely on rocks, common. The var. $ on rocks and walls, rare. 

 Fr. early summer ; not commonly fertile. 



A pretty little species, but rarely found in fruit. When dry the twisted leaves, 

 the upper ones especially, become often turned to one side, giving a somewhat 

 homomallous and distinct appearance to the plant. The apical cell of the leaf is often 

 elongated, smooth and quite different in appearance from the lower cells. 



The var. rupestris is a somewhat marked form, and is more or less intermediate 

 between Z. viridissimus and the following sub-species. In addition to the above 

 characters, Braithwaite descrbes the nerve as reaching nearly to the point, and the 

 ■capsule as differing also from the typical plant ; in fruiting specimens from rocks in 

 Glenlyon however, where the leaves are clearly those of the variety, the nerve ceases 

 just as in the type, and the capsules also are quite typical. 



There is a peculiar habit about the present species, both when wet and in the dry 

 state, that makes it easy of recognition ; the short, spreading and recurved leaves are 

 especially characteristic. 



* Zygodon Stirtoni Schp. (Tab. XXXIII. I.). 



Resembling the var. rupestris of the above, but with the 

 leaves less acuminate , the nerve strong, excurrent in a straight, 

 thick mucro, which is smooth or papillose, the lamina often ending 

 unequally on the two sides. Capsule a little smaller and shorter. 



Hab. Rocks and walls, principally near the sea ; rarely on trees ; not common. 

 Fr. rare, spring. 



