356 FONTINALACE^E. 



F. sqtiamosa is a variable species, sometimes approaching F. antipyretica in 

 robustness, but usually a more slender plant. The var. Curnowii is described by 

 Cardot as a lax form, slightly softer than the typical plant, especially remarkable for 

 its apiculate perichaetial leaves, a character which allies it to F. dalecarlica. 



The concave, rounded leaves form the most obvious and most important character 

 by which the present species is separated from F. antipyretica on the one hand and 

 from F. seriata on the other ; the characters separating F. Dixoni are pointed out 

 under that plant. 



Care is however needed lest slender mountain forms of F. antipyretica, 

 which often have the young branch-leaves hardly keeled, and the older stem-leaves 

 frequently split into halves, be mistaken for it. It is usually safest to examine the 

 lower leaves on the primary divisions, rather than those of the branches. The colour 

 is usually of a darker, duller green than in the last, the stems very numerously divided, 

 but the divisions very little branched. 



* Pontinalis dalecarlica B. & S. (Tab. XLVIII. F.). 



Allied to F. squamosa, and resembling slender forms of that 

 species. Leaves smaller, narrower, more appressed ; capsule 

 smaller, i line long, immersed ; peristome teeth shorter, more 

 slender, with fewer (14-22) more distant lamellae. Spores 

 25-32 [i. 



Hab. In similar localities, very rare ; nr. Princeton, Dartmoor (Dixon, 1894). 

 Fr. very rare, summer. 



The specimen of the above plant which was sent to M. Cardot was without fruit, 

 and he remarks upon it : " In spite of the absence of fruit I think this specimen may 

 be referred with certainty to F. dalecarlica B. & S., a species new to the British Is." 

 Since then I have detected a single, old capsule, which in its small size agrees with 

 the present sub-species, but the peristome is too fragmentary to afford any evidence ; 

 the spores are about 30 p. in diameter. 



The differences between the present plant and F. squa?nosa are not great, and are 

 chiefly ones of degree ; most authors, however, have considered it a distinct species, 

 or at least a sub-species ; Ilusnot being the only author, so far as I am aware, who 

 reduces it to a variety of F. squamosa. It has a somewhat distinct facies, and will be 

 known by its slender habit and very small, narrow, usually erect and somewhat 

 appressed leaves. The angular cells in my specimens are large and very distinct, and 

 form well-defined auricles. 



3. Fontinalis Dixoni Cardot in litt. (Tab. XLVIII. H.). 



Stems rather short, moderately branched ; plant of a dull 

 brown colour, somewhat rigid. Branches frequently curved at 

 the tips. Leaves rather large, 2 lines long or more, crowded, 

 somewhat rigidly divergent, ovate-lanceolate, gradually tapering 

 and longly but widely acuminate , entire or obscurely denticulate 

 at apex, slightly concave, one margin usually inflexed ; areolation 

 narrow, with thick walls, angular cells very large, pellucid, 

 orange-brown, forming very conspicuous, inflated, decurrent 

 auricles. Branch-leaves much smaller, narrower. Fruit unknown. 



Hab. R. Colwyn, Beddgelert, N. Wales (Dixon, 1, 



