BRACHYTHECIACEAE. 321 
extremely slender form occurs which might be derived from 
either species, or possibly parallel forms of both exist, the leaf 
characters being to some extent intermediate; I te these forms 
from three localities, two at least bearing 3 flow it is possible 
that the slender _ may be a secondary eéictiad aaeiier: of the 
male plant. It y be this plant which has been deseribed by 
Brotherus from Manian as C. molle (ined.). 
C. relaxum is confined to New Zealand, where it apears to be 
fairly See s. 
3. Campylium decussatum (H. f. & W.) Brotherus in Engler & 
antl, Pflanzenfam., Musci, ii, 1044 (1908). 
Syn. Hypnum decussatum H. f. & W., Fl. N.Z. ii, 110 
(1855) ; Handb. N.Z. FL, p. 480. 
For the characters of this plant see the preceding species. The 
fruit has not been seen. It is a very pretty moss in its regular, 
recurved foliation. With a somewhat wider general distribution, it 
seems rather ae frequent in New Zealand than C. relaxim 
BRACHY THECIACEAE. 
Mostly fairly robust, terrestrial plants, with irregular, not 
pinnate branching. Leaves imbricated all round the stem , rarely 
roader base. Nerve single. Cells prosenchymatous, smooth, 
usually elongate and narrow, frequently somewhat differentiated at 
angles. Seta rough or smooth. Capsule usually of moderately large 
size, gage rather turgidly oval and gibbous; lid conical or longly 
rostra 
Key To GENERA. 
(The Key is drawn up only with reference to the New Zealand species.) 
1 ( Lid conical, usually acute ... _..... URSA: Ss Brachythecium 
7 Lid: ‘rontrate, With a toe beek 
2 ( Seta smooth _..... eee fee ee le tee ee Rhynchostegium 
1] Sete. rough 55 6k eet a ee Eurhynchium 
BRACHYTHECIUM Bry. eur.,-vol. vi, fase. 52-54 (1853). 
he characters of this and the following genera are hard to 
define, and indeed apart from the character of the lid are very 
There is, however, a certain habit by = eh they may 
h > 
t=] 
denser branching ; those of Rae apicrte cre spe slender es ies 
vaguely branched, with leaves more distant and with a ency 
to be complanate ; Nb that of Eurhyne en is wii cabat pasanied 
the two. The frui is, if not absolutely necessary, of paramount 
assistance in gosta mining the plants, and beginners should not 
attempt to determine them. without fruit, unti til the general ame: 
is understood. The conical, more or less acute lid is the mai 
eharacter of Brachythecium. 
