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MEMOIRS OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN 



[VOL. 11 



rows of cortical cells (2 + 2 lateral, 1 ventral) and 1 medullary cell. Rhizoids in a 

 row on the ventral side of the axis. Slime papillae (scales) in two dorsolateral rows. 

 Plants autoicous. Male inflorescence foliaceous on a short branch or terminal "even 

 becoming intercalary" on a leading axis, the leafy bracts tiny, in 3-6 pairs, bifid, 

 monandrous, the bracteoles lacking; antheridial stalk of 1 row of cells or 1-celled. 

 Female inflorescence foliaceous on a very short branch, the bracts in 2 or 3 series, 

 the inner series the largest, bifid, the segments acuminate, the margins dentate from 

 projecting cells. Perianth exserted, cylindrical below, 3-keeled above, the mouth of 

 6 dentate lacineae similar to the segments of the bracts. Capsule brownish, opening 

 to the base by 4 valves, the wall of 2 layers of cells with brown thickening bands 

 on the radial walls. Seta non-articulate, of 4 rows of very large cells surrounding 

 4 rows of tiny inner cells. Spores yellow-brown, granulate-vermiculate, 13-15 /j.. 

 Elaters 135-150 ^ long, 72-78 /* in maximum diam, tapering, bispiral. 



PI. 106. Fig. 1, a-d. 



Habitat: On bark in humid rain forest. 



DOMINICA: between Crete Palmiste and Bois Diable Ridge, 1400 ft, coll. Schuster. 



paracromastigaceae Fulford, fam. nov. 



Caules foliosi plus minus radiales vel dorsali-ventrales, cum vel sine caudice, 

 ramis terminalibus (typus Frullaniae et Acromastigi) vel ventrali-intercalaribus foli- 

 osis vel flagelliformibus; caulium cellulis ventralibus corticalibus parvioribus quam 

 cellulis dorsalibus. Rhizoidea e basi amphigastriorum. Folia transversa vel obliqua 

 succubaque, bifida (aliquando trifida). Amphigastria similaria saepe parvioria. In- 

 florescentia masculina terminalis vel intercalaris, bracteis bracteolisque foliiformibus, 

 saccatis. Inflorescentia feminea in ramo brevi e caudice, e flagellis vel raro e caule, 

 bracteis bracteolisque bifidis cum vel sine dentibus marginalibus. Perianthium 3- 

 carinatum insuper, carina tertia ventrali, ore 3-lobato setuloso-ciliato. 



Plants small, with or without a prostrate caudex; branches terminal, of the 

 Frullania and Acromastigum types, and ventral-intercalary, leafy or flagelliform; 

 stem in transverse section with the ventral cortical rows of cells smaller than the 

 dorsal rows. Rhizoids in tufts from the bases of the underleaves or in three rows 

 of tufts from the flagelliform branches or the caudex. Line of leaf insertion trans- 

 verse to oblique with the leaves succubous. Leaves bifid (occasional leaves trifid) 

 to the middle or less. Underleaves similar, or to half as long as the leaves or less, 

 bifid (some trifid). Male inflorescence terminal becoming intercalary on the stem, 

 the bracts and bracteoles similar to the leaves and underleaves, slightly smaller, 

 imbricate, the bracts monandrous. Female inflorescence on a short leafy branch, 

 from the caudex, or a flagelliform branch, or occasionally from the leafy stem; 

 bracts and bracteoles bifid, with or without marginal teeth or cilia. Perianth cylin- 

 drical below, 3-keeled above, the third keel ventral, the mouth 3-lobed, variously 

 laciniate-ciliate. 



Type genus: Par acromastigum Fulford & J. Taylor, 1961. 



Key to the Genera 



Ventral branches of the Acromastigum type abundant; ventral-intercalary branches 



also present. Paracromastigum. 



Ventral branches all axillary, intercalary in origin; leafy axes usually arising from a 



leafless caudex. Leucosarmcntum . 



