3^0 LESKEACE^E. 



1. Pseudoleskea atrovirens B. & S. (Hypnum atrovirens 



Dicks.) (Tab. L. O.). 



Primary stems creeping, irregularly divided ; secondary with 

 irregular, hardly pinnate branches, which are usually hooked or 

 curved at the apex ; forming large, somewhat intricate masses of 

 a green or brownish colour, the tips of the branches often coloured 

 yellow ; rather rigid when dry. Leaves erecto-patent, crowded, 

 usually falcato-secund at the extremity of the branches, secund or 

 appressed and somewhat regularly and spirally imbricated when 

 dry ; ovate-lanceolate , gradually acuminate , margin recurved 

 below, denticulate above ; nerve strong, reaching to near the 

 summit ; cells irregularly oval, towards margin shorter and sub- 

 quadrate, near the nerve and in the point longer, elliptical ; all 

 papillose at back. Paraphyllia numerous, multiform. Seta 

 short ; capsule oblique, curved or gibbous, oblong ; lid conical ; 

 peristome yellow ; cilia none or rudimentary. 



Hab. Alpine rocks and at the foot of trees on mountains ; rare ; Highlands of 

 Scotland. Fr. very rare, early summer. 



As with several of the preceding allied species, this plant is somewhat variable in 

 the degree of robustness, the branches being sometimes very slender and filiform (var. 

 filamentosa'Bou\.), at others robust and obtuse; occasionally, but rarely, the leaves 

 are not at all secund, and the branches not hooked. The old leaves are usually dark 

 brown or blackish, and the common form of the plant may be usually recognised by 

 this dark brown tinge with the tips of the branches yellow. It somewhat resembles 

 Leskea nervosa, but has less acute leaves, and a shorter nerve ; and is generally more 

 robust. 



2. Pseudoleskea catenulata B. & S. (Hypnum catenulatum 



Brid.) (Tab. L. P.). 



Very slender and delicate, with numerous, short, filiform, 

 julaceous, obtuse branches, in low large patches of a dull or 

 reddish green. Leaves minute, crowded, erecto-patent when 

 moist, closely imbricated when dry ; ovate-acuminate, those of 

 the branches ovate-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, entire ; nerve 

 very faint, vanishing below the middle ; cells almost uniformly 

 oval-oblong, short, towards margin and apex shorter, rounded- 

 quadrate, faintly papillose or almost smooth. Paraphyllia 

 filiform. Capsule narrowly oblong ; lid rostrate ; cilia one or 

 two, well developed. 



Hab. Mountain rocks, very rare ; Scotch Highlands. Fruit extremely rare, 

 summer ; not found in Britain. 



A pretty little species, fairly easily distinguished by the julaceous branches and 

 small entire leaves with their single nerve and short cells. 



