268 FUNARIACE^:. 



minutely apiculate, the wall of two layers of cells ; spores large ; 

 calyptra small, thin, campanulate , torn at the base, sometimes on 

 one side only. 



The plants composing this and the last genus are connected 

 with the higher Funariaceae through Physcomitrella and Physco- 

 mitrium in much the same way as Phascum is linked with the 

 more highly developed Pottia by P. recta and P. bryoides ; and 

 also as the cleistocarpous species of Weisia are connected with 

 the higher species, through W. rostellata. 



The persistent protonema may be in part a storehouse of 

 moisture, but is probably of more importance in preventing other 

 plants from occupying the soil and thus crowding out the 

 Ephemerum. It is often more conspicuous than the stems them- 

 selves, and leads to their discovery where they would otherwise 

 be overlooked. 



{Leaves nerveless i. serratum 

 Leaves nerved, at least near apex 2 



{Nerve faint, wanting in lower half of leaf i*- intermedium 

 Nerve distinct throughout 3 



{Leaves broadly lanceolate, nerved to apex 3. cohmrens 

 Leaves narrow, nerve excurrent 4 



{Ls. lanceolate-subulate, tapering, almost entire 3. sessile 

 Ls. ligulate, toothed at apex 4. recurvifolium 



1 . Ephemerum serratum Hampe (Phascum serratum Schreb.) 

 (Tab. XXXVII. G.). 



Minute, gregarious, with green persistent protonema. Leaves 

 few, ovate-lanceolate, tapering to a narrow point; margin 

 coarsely and irregularly toothed above ; nerve none ; cells lax, 

 hexagonal-rhomboid, elongate, the walls a little incrassate, at base 

 paler, thin-walled. Capsule immersed on a very short seta, sub- 

 globose, apiculate, bright chestnut brown, glossy ; calyptra small, 

 widely campanulate, torn at base ; spores large, 70-80 /*, minutely 

 papillose. Dioicous ; male plant small. 



Var. f3. angustifolium B. & S. (E. minutissimum Lindb., 

 Braithw. Br. M. Fl.). Leaves narrower, sometimes subsecund ; 

 spores rather smaller. 



Hab. Fallow fields and bare spots ; not unfrequent. The var. $, Hurstpier- 

 point (Mitten), Sevenoaks (Holmes). Fr. late autumn. 



The bright reddish shining capsule is usually more conspicuous than the leaves ; 

 it is as a rule the green patch of protonema that first catches the eye. In specimens 

 of E. minutissi?num from Sevenoaks, which Mr. Holmes kindly sent me, I do not 

 find any difference in the surface of the spores, which are distinctly papillose, not 

 smooth as they are usually described ; I have not seen Mitten's original plant, but 

 Husnot describes the plant as a variety very slightly differing from the type as above ; 

 and I am strongly of opinion that this is the right view, 



