264 Mosses to be Found in May. 



The capsule is small and oblique, with a rather large mouth 

 in proportion to the size of the fruit, the lid plano-convex, and 

 the fruit-stalk short, scarcely half an inch in length. 



Both these fruit in May. 



Bartramia ithyphylla* or the straight-leaved . apple-moss, 

 grows on alpine and sub-alpine rocks, is common on the rocks 

 above Greenock and on various mountains, both in Scotland and 

 Wales ; it has also been found near Todniorden, in Lancashire. 



With rigid leaves of a bright yellowish green, subulato- 

 setaceous, more or less spreading from a pale sheathing dilated 

 base, ' ' by which character, and the broad predominant nerve," 

 Wilson says, " this species is . easily distinguished from every 

 other British species." The fruit-stalk is about an inch in 

 length, and the leaves are straight when dry ; hence its dis- N 

 tinctive appellation. 



Bartramia rigida, or the rigid apple-moss, is a dwarfish 

 species, with very short slender and fragile stems, from two 

 lines to half an inch in height, downy, of a red colour, and 

 having dark reddish radicles. From the branches being fas- 

 ciculate, and slightly recurved with crowded leaves, it grows in 

 compact tufts. It is found on shady banks in mountainous 

 situations in Ireland. The leaves are lanceolate, tapering 

 upwards to a narrow point, erecto-patent, straight, and rather 

 rigid, the margin reflexed and serrated, rough on the back, with 

 small roundish prominences or glands, which also cover the 

 strong excurrent nerve. Tho areola of the leaf ha^e an 

 oblong-quadrate form. The fruit-stalk is about three-quarters 

 of an inch in length, of reddish hue, and bearing the com- 

 paratively large sub-spherical capsule, which is at first oblique, 

 but subsequently cernuous, of a reddish brown, and strongly 

 furrowed when dry. A double peristome surrounds tho mouth, 

 tho outer teeth of a reddish brown, and rather short, the inner 

 still shorter and sometimes deficient or rudimentary. Tho lid 

 is convex and apiculato ; the spores are reddish, partaking of 

 tho general hue of the plant, and tho inflorescence is monoicous; 

 tho barren and fertile flowers approximating; and the fruit 

 ripens in September and October. 



Barlrtoiiin J'onham, or the fountain, apple-moss, grows in 

 wet places, especially near springs, as the name implies, and 

 is found cliicily in mountainous countries. It has elongated 

 stems, from one bo six inches Long, or even more, downy, with 

 blackish or reddish radicles, and matted together in dense, 

 extensive, yellowish or glaucous-green patches, tho branches 

 variously ramified, Blender or robust, sometimes fasciculate and 

 erect, sometimes disposed in a stellate manner; the leavos 

 dimorphous, either ovate-acuminate, short and appressed to 

 * From Ms, placed upright, erect, or straight, and fyvKKhs, foliago. 



