422 HYPNACE/E. 



same tufts may be found practically smooth, intermediate states, however, being the 

 most frequent. As a rule, but not invariably, the tufts are much laxer, less silky, of a 

 deeper green, and with shorter leaves than is usual in E. tenellum ; indeed, agreeing 

 closely with the form of the species described by Schimper (Syn. Ed. II.) as 

 frequently occurring in the northern parts of Central Europe. In this form the variety 

 bears a very close resemblance to E. curvisetum (to which, indeed, it has been 

 referred by Braithwaite) ; but in every specimen I have examined the leaves exhibit 

 the fine, almost setaceous acumination of E. tenellum, with longer nerve and longer, 

 quite different cells from those of E. curvisetum ; while some of the specimens show 

 exactly the normal and very distinct, dense, silky habit characteristic of our present 

 species. In the localities it is described as usually growing on wood, branches, 

 etc., near the ground, but Mr. Nicholson informs me he also finds it on trunks of trees 

 as much as five feet from the base, and it occurs also, though less commonly, on flints 

 and bricks. 



Since writing the above, indeed while the proof-sheets are passing through my 

 hands, I learn from Mr. Nicholson that the same plant, with rough seta, has been 

 found by Mitten about Ilurstpierpoint, and is by him considered a distinct species, and 

 has been distributed, I believe, as H. scabrellum Mitt. ined. I have ventured, there- 

 fore, to make use of that name, although I am unable to consider the plant specifically 

 distinct from E. tenellum. The fact that the seta is sometimes nearly smooth, and at 

 others, I believe, entirely so, appears to me to point strongly towards the varietal 

 nature of the condition, and I can find no other constant character to separate it. 



1 1 . Eurhynchium myosuroides Schp. (Hypnum myosuroides 

 L. ; Isothecium myosuroides Brid.) (Tab. LIV. H.). 



Primary stem stoloniform, creeping, secondary erect or 

 ascending, sub-dendroid, 1-2 inches long, the branches being as a 

 rule crowded at their summits, usually curved and more or less 

 pointing one way, and somewhat complanate, acute, attenuated, 

 or even flagelliform ; forming pale or yellowish green, rather 

 robust tufts, somewhat glossy. Leaves of the secondary stems 

 cordate-ovate or ovate-oblong, from a wide, often excavate base, 

 more or less suddenly contracted to a short or rather long, fine 

 acumen, concaVe, denticulate almost all round, nerve reaching 

 about half-way or more, often very faint or almost wanting ; 

 branch-leaves narrower, imbricated or homomallous, oblong- 

 lanceolate, more or less acuminate , not plicate nor decurrent, 

 nerved to above the middle. Cells linear, at times somewhat 

 vermicular, 5-10 times as long as broad, obtuse, with the walls 

 firm and somewhat incrassate, at apex rather shorter and wider, 

 at basal angles distinct, small, sub-rectangular , opaque , forming 

 small, well-defined, opaque or orange auricles. Perichaetial 

 bracts squarrose, longly acuminate. Seta rather short, slender ; 

 capsule orange-brown, thin-walled, slightly inclined, curved, 

 small ; lid shortly rostrate. Dioicous. 



Hab. Rocks and stumps of trees, frequent, especially in subalpine districts. Fr. 

 autumn and winter. 



A very variable plant in some respects, sometimes being very robust, at others 

 extremely slender with delicate, filiform branches ; the latter form is the var. Jilescens 



