.334 BRYACE/E. 



One of the most abundant and variable species of the genus ; the above varieties 

 -do not, by far, exhaust the various forms, but they appear to be the most strongly 

 marked British ones. The synoicous inflorescence appears to be the only reliable 

 character by which to distinguish the var. iorquescens ; and even this is, according to 

 the observations of reliable authorities, subject to variation, both synoicous and 

 dioicous flowers being found on the same specimen. The somewhat different distribu- 

 tion is the only other character that can be claimed for it, — the deep red capsule being 

 equally characteristic of dioicous plants — and this, even were it more pronounced than 

 it actually is, could not be allowed to constitute specific rank in the absence of other 

 characters. 



B. capillare is usually recognised without difficulty by the soft, wide leaves, very 

 generally spirally twisted when dry, with short, chlorophyllose cells, the chlorophyll 

 grains being very beautifully and distinctly defined even after drying. 



The var. Ferchelii is a very distinct form, and should, I think, with Limpricht, 

 be united with the var. elegans (B. elegans Nees) which is characterised by the same 

 form of leaf. 



* Bryum obconicum Hornsch. (B. capillare var. obconicum 

 Hiibn., Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) (Tab. XLV. B.). 



Differs from Bryum capillare in the shorter, dense tufts, the 

 leaves less spathulate, rather ovate or ovate-oblong, more 

 acuminate , not twisted -when dry, but appressed and incumbent ; 

 capsule rather smaller, with a somewhat longer more tapering 

 neck. 



Hab. Dry heaths and rocks. Not common. Fr. summer. 



The practice of modern authors, to unite this plant with B. capillare, is doubtless 

 the right one. There is very little difference in the form of capsule, and that of the 

 leaves is very little greater than in some of the above varieties ; they are usually 

 rather smaller, and being closely appressed and straight when dry, they give a very 

 -different look to the plant. The capsules, as often occurs in this genus, are variable 

 in size even within the limits of a single tuft. 



B. obconicum is easily recognised from B. caspiticium, B. intermedium, etc., by 

 the broader leaves and almost or quite symmetrical capsules. 



22. Bryum Donianum Grev. (Tab. XLV. C). 



Shorter than B. capillare ; leaves more densely crowded in 

 short comal tufts, twisted when dry but hardly spirally con- 

 torted, ovate-oblong, somewhat acuminate, nerve excurrent in a 

 -very short point, border yellow, of several rows of cells, 

 thickened; areolation firmer, margin more distinctly and regularly 

 toothed. Capsule resembling that of B. capillare, especially the 

 var. iorquescens, usually somewhat curved. Dioicous. 



Hab. Stony ground and gravelly banks ; not common. Fr. summer. 



Much resembling B. capillare, but known by the characters italicised ; the 

 thickened border especially is characteristic ; and the same remark applies to this 

 structure as was made under B. pattens. It is generally of a more reddish tinge, the 

 leaves somewhat more rigid and solid, the excurrent nerve shorter and more rigid. 

 It is a southern species. 



