49 2 HYPNACE^). 



double, very short and faint ; cells linear, 10-15 times as long as 

 wide, the walls firm, somewhat incrassate and porose ; at apex 

 short, wide ; at base somewhat wider, incrassate, at angles 

 abruptly sub-quadrate, moderately enlarged, hyaline or more 

 usually orange, slightly granulose , forming a rather clearly 

 defined triangular patch at each angle, but not distinctly 

 projecting below the line of insertion nor strongly decurrent. 

 Seta deep red ; capsule sub-cylindric, arcuate, not large ; annulus 

 none. Dioicous. 



Hab. Woods and heathlands, common. Fruit very rare, autumn. 



H. Schreberi may generally be known from its allies, especially too from 

 Cylindrothecium continuum, which it closely resembles, by the bright redstemswhich are 

 seen conspicuously through the semi-transparent leaves. In leaf-form and structure it 

 is only like the last species, which frequents moister localities, has a much less woody 

 stem, more distinctly cuspidate tips to the branches, and much more striking auricles, 

 projecting below the base of the leaf and distinctly decurrent. In H. Schreberi the 

 auricular cells are practically confined to the angular space at the corner of the leaf, 

 which they fill up as a triangular patch, and while clearly defined are not nearly so 

 large, nor so conspicuous and hyaline. 



It is a curious fact that H. Schreberi, while with us extremely rare in fruit, is 

 always described in continental works on bryology as commonly fruiting. When 

 fertile, the capsules are usually produced in considerable abundance. 



H. Schreberi has some resemblance to Brachythecium punun, which is however 

 a softer, more prostrate plant, with large, single-nerved, apiculate leaves. It has 

 somewhat the appearance of a Hylocomium, and is by Lindberg placed in that genus. 



1 16. HYLOCOMIUM B. & S. 



Plants usually of free and robust growth, irregularly branched 

 or more frequently more or less regularly pinnate or bi-tripinnate; 

 the stems mostly stout and robust, hardly radiculose, often with 

 dense par aphy Ilia. Leaves usually large, somewhat scariose, 

 generally plicate or rugose when dry, frequently with scattered 

 papilldi at back, from the ends of the cell walls. Nerve single 

 and often forked, or double, rarely none ; never extending high in 

 the acumen ; areolation narrow-linear, rarely enlarged at angles. 

 Dioicous. Seta smooth. Capsule rather large and short, 

 inclined and curved ; lid conical, acuminate or shortly rostrate. 

 Peristome perfect. 



Separated from Hypnum by a somewhat natural concourse of 

 characters, mostly affecting the habit and appearance of the 

 plants, and less easy to describe in terms than to recognise at 

 sight. Most of the British species are among our commonest and 

 most striking pleurocarpous mosses, and the student soon 

 becomes familiarised with them and is able to distinguish 



