260 SCHISTOSTEGACE^:. 



51. SCHISTOSTECrA Mohr. 

 Characters those of the Order. 



1. Schistostega osmundacea Mohr (Mnium osmundaceum 

 Dicks.) (Tab. XXXVI. D.). 



In glaucous green patches, finally reddish brown. Stems 

 very slender and delicate, about J-inch high, springing from a 

 persistent, highly refractive protonema. Barren stems naked at 

 base, with two rows of vertically placed leaves above; leaves 

 shortly oblong, pointed, nerveless, confluent at base ; cells large, 

 rhomboidal, chlorophyllose. Fertile stems resembling the barren, 

 or naked except for a small tuft of terminal leaves, from which 

 springs the slender seta ; capsule minute, sub-globose , erect ; 

 gym.nostom.ous. Dioicous. 



Hab. Clefts and caves in sandstone rocks ; not common. Fr. spring. 



A very beautiful and distinct moss, which it is impossible to mistake for any other, 

 on account of the distichous, confluent leaves, giving a frond-like appearance to the 

 stem, like a miniature fern such as the Hard Fern ( Lomaria Spicant). The most 

 striking character of this moss is the highly refractive structure of the protonema, 

 which gives a beautiful golden green lustre to the plant and seems to 611 with light 

 the crevices and caves where it dwells. 



Order XIII. SPLACHNACE/E. 



Usually rather short-stemmed mosses, with erect symmetrical 

 capsules mostly on long setae, with a distinct apophysis ; peristome 

 none, or single, with the teeth usually in pairs. Leaves broad, 

 flaccid, with lax, more or less hexagonal, smooth areolation. 

 Calyptra entire and conical, or cucullate. Almost always grow- 

 ing on the excrement of animals or decaying animal matter. 



The lax areolation, erect symmetrical capsule and well marked 

 apophysis are the distinctive features of this Order, and taken 

 together readily enable the student to recognise species belonging 

 to it from the Funariaceas, and from Meesia and Amblyodon; the 

 areolation alone will distinguish them from most other mosses. 



52. CEDIPODIUM Schwgr. 



Short-stemmed, succulent-leaved plants. Leaves obtuse, 

 rounded, broadly nerved. Capsule subglobose, with a very long 

 narrow tapering apophysis resembling a seta ; peristome none. 



