20,0 BARTRAMIACE^). 



The commonest species, and very variable. In lowland habitats it is short, pale 

 green, loosely tufted, with laxly set leaves ; in rocky mountainous localities it becomes 

 much more densely tufted, with dense leaves, and usually of a more dingy tint ; in 

 similar but more shady or moister situations it passes into the var. crispa, which in its 

 extreme forms becomes almost indistinguishable, without fruit, from B. Halleriana. 

 It is at once known from the last species by the short, less opaque areolation and the 

 leaf base not suddenly dilated and not sheathing ; from B. stricta by the flexuose, 

 spreading leaves, of different form, and from B. CEderi by the highly papillose 

 areolation and longer leaves. 



The margin of the leaves is almost always revolute, but occasionally quite plane. 

 It is perhaps worth noting that in the species of Bartramia, and most noticeably in 

 those with larger fruits, the capsule if it becomes fully matured before being emptied 

 of its spores retains its globular shape and somewhat glossy surface ; if, however, as 

 often happens, it is gathered before they are fully mature, even though the peristome 

 is fully formed and the lid ready to fall, the capsules shrink in drying and elongate 

 considerably, becoming oval-oblong and curved, and of a duller surface. This is 

 perhaps most noticeable in the next species, but in the present and the preceding it is 

 also quite evident, and on the same tuft capsules may often be found in both states and 

 yet apparently in the same stage of maturity. The fruit is very persistent, and old 

 setse of several years' standing may frequently be found. 



5. Bartramia Halleriana Hedw. (B. norvegica Lindb., 

 Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) (Tab. XL. G.). 



Tall and robust, in large soft tufts, 2-4 inches high or more, 

 bright green above, brown and tomentose below. Leaves rather 

 distinct, very long (2^/1-3 lines) , from an erect sub-sheathing base 

 divergent, spreading and flexuose, often subsecund ; when dry 

 more or less crisped in the upper part, but usually rigid and little 

 altered towards base ; resembling those of B. pomiformis but 

 with a slightly wider leaf base, which is a little more rapidly 

 narrowed into the limb ; areolation, nerve and margin as in that 

 species. Capsules often in pairs, seta short, curved, secund, not 

 or hardly exceeding the leaves in length ; capsule rather large ; 

 longer than that of B. pomiformis when becoming elongated as 

 described under that species, and deeply furrowed. Inflorescence 

 as in B. pomiformis. 



Hab. Damp shady rocks, usually near water, in mountainous districts ; not 

 common. Fr. summer. 



The most beautiful species of the genus, and quite distinct in its more distant, 

 longer leaves, and the short arcuate setae. The stem continues growing above the 

 flower, so that in a very short time the fruit becomes lateral ; and as it is persistent 

 the capsules of several successive years may be found clothing the stems at regular 

 intervals, all turned to one side and presenting a very regular and beautiful appearance. 



The tall lax forms of B. pomiformis var. crispa so closely conform to the present 

 species both in general appearance and in the form and structure of the leaves that it 

 is sometimes quite impossible to distinguish them without fruit. I have indeed found 

 the two growing closely intermixed, and with setae of very varying lengths ; but I am 

 strongly inclined to suspect here a hybrid between the two species. As a rule how- 

 ever the leaves of the present species are more loosely set on the stem, less • glaucous 

 in colour, more divergent from the stem just above their base even when dry, and in 

 their upper part more ascending, those of B. pomiformis tending to a spreading 

 direction so that each stem, looked at from above, has a somewhat stellate appearance. 



