AMBLYSTEGIUM. 443 



apiculate; calyptra whitish; peristome large. Autoicous. 

 Spores 10-12 jn. 



Hab. On the ground, stones, decaying wood, etc. ; abundant. Fr. spring. 



A. serpens varies much, and is often difficult to separate from the allied British 

 species, though not so much so as from several still more closely related plants that 

 occur on the continent. From most of our mosses it is known at sight by the very 

 slender delicate plants of a dull green, usually fruiting abundantly, and then strongly 

 characterised by the red setae tipped with small, white calyptras. From Eurhynchium 

 pumihtm it differs in the much more finely acuminate leaves with short wide cells ; 

 Hypnum Sommerfeltii which has a superficial resemblance to it, has much narrower 

 areolation and the leaves strongly divergent or squarrose when dry. From the two 

 preceding species it is usually known, even in its most slender forms, by the single 

 nerve. It is much more difficult to separate from A. varium Lindb., some forms 

 very closely resembling that species, but the nerve is perhaps, in A. serpens, never 

 quite so distinct and prolonged, and the areolation is usually less firm and more 

 pointed, besides which A. -varium is perhaps constantly a larger plant than A. 

 serpens, with a laxer habit and larger leaves. 



A large number of varieties have been described, but most of them appear to be 

 of little importance as regards stability, and rather to be considered as forms. 



4. Amblystegium varium Lindb. (Leskea varia Hedw. ; A. 



radicale B. & S. et mult, auct., non H. radicale P. de Beauv.) 



(Tab. LVI. B.). 



Larger than A. serpens, in usually more straggling tufts, of a 

 brighter green. Leaves larger, about yi line in length, more 

 spreading both when moist and when dry, widely ovate- 

 acuminate, tapering to a long fine acumen, entire or sinuolate at 

 margin, narrowed at base and somewhat decurrent, nerve strong, 

 green or brownish, reaching nearly to apex and usually retnaining 

 distinct high up into the acumen, rarely vanishing half-way up the 

 acumen; areolation firm, rather large, distinct; hexagonal- 

 rhomboid, 3-4 times as long as broad, usually less acute than in 

 A. serpens, and relatively wider ; larger towards base and shortly 

 rectangular, rather incrassate, not forming distinct auricles. 

 Branch-leaves narrower, ovate-lanceolate. Seta long, often 1 inch 

 or rather more; lid conical, rather acutely pointed. Autoicous. 

 Spores 15-20 ju. 



Hab. On the ground, stumps of trees, etc., in moist situations; not common. 

 Fr. spring. 



It appears clear that P. de Beauvais' name H. radicale does not apply to this 

 plant, and therefore the name must be transferred ; the true H. radicale P. Beauv. has 

 more squarrose leaves with a shorter nerve. The present species is larger than the 

 last and only approached by the more robust forms of that plant ; it is usually found in 

 rather loose, untidy tufts, and has possibly been somewhat overlooked in this country ; 

 on the other hand plants so named frequently turn out to be only large forms of A. 

 serpens. It would appear to be less abundantly fertile than that species. From A. 

 irriguum it differs in the much thinner, less solid nerve, the leaves not or hardly 

 secund, etc. 



