388 HYPNACE^). 



found in the uniting of Rhynchostegium B. & S. with 

 Eurhynchium, the differences by which these are sometimes 

 separated being very slight in degree and not easy either of 

 definition or of detection. 



101. CLIMACIUM W. & M. 



Primary stem creeping, stoloniform, secondary erect, robust, 

 dendroid ; branches stout, not flagelliform, stem-leaves scale- 

 like ; branch-leaves oblong-lanceolate, plicate, single-nerved. 

 Areolation rather long, rhomboid, rounded at the ends. Seta 

 long; capsule sub-cylindric , erect; peristome large ; outer teeth 

 confluent at the base, reddish ; inner with a short basal membrane,, 

 processes perforated and widely gaping along the keel, cilia 

 rudimentary or none. Dioicous. 



The true position of this genus is difficult to decide. In the 

 areolation it certainly appears to belong to the present Order 

 rather than to Leucodontacese. It seems however in some 

 respects near Porotrichum, and on the whole must be considered 

 a somewhat anomalous genus. 



1. Olimacium dendroides W. & M. (Hypnum dendroides L.) 



(Tab. LI. F.). 



Robust, secondary stems erect, rigid, 2-4 inches high, 

 unbranched except towards the summit, where it gives rise to 

 numerous sub-erect, rarely spreading branches, which are usually 

 straight, either short and obtuse or longer, more slender and 

 cuspidate, but not flagelliform ; somewhat thick and turgid with 

 the closely imbricated leaves ; bright or yellowish green. Leaves 

 large, those of the stem very broad, amplexicaul , rounded and 

 cucullate and often apiculate at the apex ; branch-leaves narrower, 

 oblong-Ungulate with the apex usually rounded and obtuse, 

 sharply serrated above and more finely almost to base ; somewhat 

 cordate at base with the margins incurved, plicate; nerve 

 narrow, ceasing just below apex. Cells narrowly rhomboid, 6-8 

 times as long as wide, the basal looser, at the angles a few, lax, 

 wide and hyaline, forming minute auricles. Seta an inch long or 

 more, deep red ; capsule erect, elliptic or cylindric, reddish 

 brown ; lid straight, acutely rostrate, remaining for some time 

 attached to the columella and persistent. Peristome large. 

 Calyptra descending below the capsule. 



Hab. Damp marshy ground, frequent. Fr. very rare, autumn and winter. 



