AMBLYSTEGIUM. 449 



species of the genus, and indeed from all our other pleurocarpous mosses. It is a high 

 alpine species, and is not likely to be found elsewhere in our islands unless in similar 

 localities on the highest Scotch mountains. 



9. Amblystegium Kochii B. & S. (Tab. LVI. G.). 



Stem prostrate, with erect or ascending branches, varying in 

 size, some extremely slender, pale green ; resembling small forms 

 of Hypnum riparium. Leaves usually somewhat distant, widely 

 spreading in all directions from the base, or almost squarrose, 

 cordate-ovate from a rather narrow , not decurrent base , gradually 

 tapering to a finely subulate-acuminate point, % line long, sinuolate 

 or faintly denticulate at margin, nerved about f the length of 

 the leaf ; cells rhomboid-hexagonal , widely pointed or truncate 

 and obtuse, 4-6 times as long as wide, gradually becoming wider 

 towards base, at angles rectangular, lax, pellucid, but not forming 

 distinct auricles. Seta rather long, i-if inches, flexuose ; capsule 

 rather small, arcuate. Autoicous. 



Hab. Marshy meadows, sides of pools, etc., very rare ; Sussex. Fr. summer. 



This plant is usually considered very closely allied to Hypnum riparium, and is 

 indeed made a sub-species of that moss by Boulay ; but if areolation is to count for 

 anything there can be no question as to the distinctness of the two plants ; a glance 

 at the very clear and representative drawings of the cells in the two species (Tab. 

 LVI. G. and Tab. LVI. H.), or even at the figure given by Husnot (Muscologia 

 Gallica, Tab. 204), who is one of the authors by whom it is considered closely allied 

 to H. riparium, shows at once the wide difference, not only in size and width, 

 but in character, between the cells of typical H. riparium and those of the present 

 species ; and though certain small forms, usually barren, of the former may approach 

 the present in the width and shortness of the cells, they are very rarely found quite 

 similar to those of our plant ; and even when this is the case they can only be looked 

 upon as exceptional. 



The present species is on the whole more likely to be passed over for A. varium, 

 but the shorter nerve will clearly distinguish it from that species. The colour is 

 pale, and the leaves are somewhat thin and pellucid. 



115. HYPNUM L. (emend. B. & S.) 



Plants of various habit and branching, often robust, very 

 frequently more or less regularly pinnate. Leaves variable, 

 usually more or less scariose in texture, with linear areolation, 

 rarely less than 5 times as long as wide and usually much longer, 

 often vermicular, not papillose ; usually forming distinct auricles 

 at basal angles ; leaves often falcate or circinate; nerve usually 

 none or double, more rarely single. Seta smooth, capsule curved, 

 inclined, very rarely erect or suberect, usually sub-cylindric, or 

 shorter and small ; lid conical, obtuse or acuminate, not longly 

 rostrate. Peristome perfect. 

 DI 



