33^ BRYACE^E. 



capsule. It is doubtful whether any differences between B. atropurpureum and B. 

 erythrocarpum founded on the leaves, are constant ; these however in the present 

 plant are usually longer and narrower, with the nerve more decidedly excurrent. 



* Bryum rubens Mitt. (Tab. XLV. F.). 



In straggling, loose tufts, nearly allied to B. erythrocarpum. 

 Leaves with the marginal cells narrow and elongated in 2-3 rows, 

 forming a distinct, often coloured border ; cells larger. Capsule 

 less pendulous, often almost horizontal, paler and less brightly 

 coloured, the neck a little less tapering and slender ; lid large, 

 acutely acuminate. 



Hah. Sandy ground, rare. Sussex (Mitten) ; Salcey, Northamptonshire 

 (Dixon). Fr. summer. 



The presence of a distinct border in this plant is of less value as a specific 

 character than at first appears, inasmuch as traces, at times very distinct, of the same 

 structure may be seen in B. erythrocarpum. There is, however, in addition to this, a 

 peculiar fades belonging to B. rubens, due partly to the untidy straggling growth, 

 partly to the different position of the capsules, which appear to be constant in my 

 specimens from Salcey, the only ones I have seen. The cells also seem distinctly 

 larger than in B. erythrocarpum. The gemmae are present as in that species. 



25. Bryum atropurpureum W. & M. (B. bicolor Dicks., 

 Braithw. Br. M. Fl.) (Tab. XLV. H.). 



In close tufts, resembling B. erythrocarpum, but usually 

 shorter ; leaves a little wider, but not constantly so ; nerve rather 

 less excurrent, sometimes vanishing. Seta short, less than one 

 inch in height, arcuate above; capsule pendulous or nearly so, 

 small, thick, and short, less than one line in length, shortly 

 oblong or obovate, with an indistinct neck abruptly passing into 

 the seta, deep purple-red, slightly contracted at the mouth, lid 

 bright red, shining, wide, conical, shortly apiculate. Dioicous. 



Var. /?. gracilentum Tayl. Taller and more slender ; leaves 

 broader, the nerve often vanishing below apex. Bulbiform 

 gemmae are borne in the axils of the upper leaves. 



Hab. Clay banks, roadsides, etc. Common. The var. P with the type, 

 frequent. Fr. early summer. 



Easily recognised by its bright red fruit, which differs from that of the allied 

 species in the abruptly ending neck, not tapering into the seta, and in its generally 

 short, thick outline ; it is not unlike that of B. argenteum, with which it often grows, 

 but the vegetative part is quite different. When barren it is with difficulty separated 

 from the preceding species ; indeed it is not safe to attempt to separate barren plants 

 except in the case of extreme forms. 



Bryum Barnesii Wood (Schp. Syn.) appears, in part at least, to belong here. 

 I have only seen a single stem, labelled as collected by Barnes, and the areolation, 

 both upper and lower, agrees very nearly with some forms of the present species, 



