82 



CRTPTOGAMIA. 



A large species growing in loose and extensive masses. Stems 

 flexuous, pendulous, 6-8 inches long, variously divided; branches dis- 

 tant, 1-3 inches long, simple or sparingly ramulose. Leaves hori- 

 zontal, loose, bifarious, from a broad cordate-ovate base, lanceolate, 

 filiformly attenuated, serrate from the base to the apex ; costa reach- 

 ing half way ; texture thin and firm, composed of minute, linear-fusi- 

 form cellules, each having a single papilla in the middle. 



Resembles Meteorium longissirnum, Doz. & Molkb. (Muse. Frond. 

 Ined. p. 159, t. 48), but the leaves of that species are undulate on 

 the margins, have a shorter acumination/and are not papillose. 



Plate 21, A.— Meteorium vitianum: plant, of the natural size. 

 (Inverted by an error of engraver.) Fig. 1. Portion of a branch. 2, 

 3, 4. Leaves. 5. Portion of base of leaf, showing the reticulation. 

 6. Point of leaf, showing the same. 7. Cellules of the leaf. 8. Peri- 

 chgetium. 9, 10. Perichsetial leaves. 11. Archegonia and paraphyses. 

 — Details enlarged. 



11. Meteorium molle, Hedw. 



Meteorium molle, Hedw.; Hook. fil. & Wils. in Flo. N. Zeal. p. 100. 

 Leshea mollis, Hedw. Muse. Frond. 4, t. 40. 



Hab. Bay of Islands. New Zealand. 



12. Meteorium trichophorum, Mont. 



Isothecium trichophorum, Mont. Ann. Sci. Nat. 1843, p. 236. 

 Neckera trichophora, C. Mull. Synop. Muse. 2, p. 130. 



Hab. Forest at the base of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, Sandwich 

 Islands. 



13. Meteorium cirrhifolium, Schwcegr. 



Meteorium cirrhifolium, Sehwaegr. Suppl. t. 218 ; Horusch. Flo. Brazil, p. 90. 



Hab. Organ Mountains, Brazil. 



