304 BRYACE^E. 



polymorpha are quite without value, both as to constancy and importance. This 

 being the case, it is a manifest absurdity to found two species upon differences which 

 in such a closely allied plant as W. cruda exist in as great or even greater degree 

 without being made the basis of even varietal distinction. 



W. acuminata varies in almost as great a degree as W. polymorphs, and on 

 somewhat parallel lines ; the stems are sometimes much elongated, reaching as much 

 as three inches in height, but this is rarely the case. It is a more common moss than 

 W. polymorpha, and plants with a distinct, narrow neck and longly acuminate lid may 

 be generally anticipated to be the present sub-species ; but no diagnosis can be safe 

 without examination of the inflorescence. 



2. Webera elongata Schwgr. (Pohlia elongata Hedw., 

 Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) (Tab. XLI. K.). 



Plants resembling W. polymorpha in habit, loosely or densely 

 tufted, bright pale green, ^-i inch high. Comal leaves rather 

 longer, lanceolate, nerve vanishing at or below apex, areolation 

 narrow, linear-rhomboid, sometimes vermicular. Seta long, 

 slender, 1-2 inches high ; capsule suberect and inclined, rarely 

 horizontal or very slightly drooping, pale, usually very long and 

 narrow, clavate, lYz-^Yz lines long, the neck very long and thin, 

 longer than the capsule itself. Lid conical, acuminate. Outer 

 peristome yellow, inner with a short basal membrane, reaching 

 about \ the height of the teeth, cilia two, short, not appendiculate. 

 Paroicous ; antheridia in pairs in the axils of the upper leaves. 



Hab. Grassy banks and clefts of rocks on mountains ; frequent. Fr. autumn. 



W. elongata is a variable species, though not to the same extent as the previous 

 plants ; and the capsules are sometimes difficult to distinguish from those of W. 

 acuminata. This however is rarely the case, and as a rule there is little difficulty in 

 recognising the present species, the long, graceful seta, and the delicately poised 

 capsule, longer necked, much elongated and slender, giving it a well marked aspect ; 

 and the other characters italicised above have also some value. In my experience it 

 is much more addicted to narrow crevices of rocks near streams than to the open, 

 terrestrial habitats usually occupied by the preceding species. 



The capsule is often described as slightly contracted below the mouth, but this, 

 I am inclined to think, rarely if ever occurs except where the capsule has dried before 

 properly ripening. 



B. EU-WEBERA. 



Leaves wider, without a distinct border, not dimorphous, the 

 comal less suddenly elongated, the areolation usually wider. 

 Capsule wider, with a shorter neck ; basal membrane of the inner 

 peristome usually higher, cilia present, often perfect, not 

 appendiculate ; processes usually with a more or less gaping slit 

 along their median line. 



