OREAS. 29c 



undivided, densely articulate and internally transversely trabecu- 

 late; inner peristome thin, pale, usually of 16 more or less 

 perforated processes alternating with the teeth, with or withoui 

 intermediate cilia varying in development and number, ofter 

 nodose with short transverse appendages at intervals {v. Tab. V.) 



A very large family, for the most part presenting a consider- 

 able uniformity of habit, and for this reason forming a natura 

 group, but a difficult one for the systematist, and equally so foi 

 the student. 



The descriptions of the size and form of capsule include the 

 neck, unless otherwise stated. 



72. OREAS Brid. 



Plants densely tufted, steins slender. Capsule erect oi 

 inclined, obovate-clavate with the distinct tapering neck 

 peristome single or double, or absent. Inflorescence gemmiform, 

 lateral. Alpine rock plants. 



The species described below forms, with its varieties, the 

 only European representative of the genus ; some of the 

 varieties have been separated as species, and another species, 

 Oreas Martiana, has been included, but turns out to belong tc 

 the Dicranaceae. 



1. Oreas Mielichhoferi Brid. (Mielichhoferia nitida Hornsch 

 Schp. Syn.) (Tab. XLI. E.). 



Short, very densely and compactly tufted, deep silky greer 

 above, dark brown below, 2-3 inches high ; stems very slender, 

 rigid, fastigiately branched. Leaves small, short, erecto-patent 

 rather rigid, closely imbricated when dry, oblong-lanceolate 01 

 narrowly lanceolate, shortly pointed, margin plane, denticulate 

 towards apex, nerve rather stout, disappearing below the point 

 cells narrowly linear-rhomboid, wider and rectangular at base 

 Seta rather short, flexuose ; capsule obovate or clavate, with 1 

 distinct neck, erect or more usually inclined, pale brown ; lie 

 conical, obtuse or apiculate ; peristome single, of 16 narrow 

 linear teeth, widening and slightly confluent at base ; pale 

 yellow. Dioicous ; male inflorescence gemmiform, lateral on the 

 stem or branches. 



Var. /8. elongata B. & S. (Mielichhoferia elongata Hornsch. 

 O. Mielichhoferi var. compacta Braithw., Br. M. Fl. ; vars 

 gracilis and elongata, Schp. Syn.). Short or tall; stems 



