EXPLANATION 



OF THE 



PLATE8. 



0] 



Plate V. 



WEISSIEiE. 



Figs. 1, 8, 15. Characteristics op Sub-order. 



Capsule (a) contracted at the mouth, lid (b) with a long beak, the beak 

 slanting (oblique), leaves in eight rows. Areolae small. 



GYMNOSTOMUM. 

 Figs. 1 — 7. Beardless Moss. 

 Generic Character (Fig. 1) . 



Capsule (a) roundish, of nearly the same shape on both sides (symmetrical) , 

 erect or slightly inclined, mouth contracted. No peristome ; but in some species 

 the spore case (sporangium) will adhere to the column when the capsule is ripe, 

 and thus close the mouth. Lid (h) with an inclined beak, rising from a conical 

 base. Leaves generally lanceolate. Plants perennial, minute, in tufts (ccespitose) , 

 on rocks or on earth. 



I. Dioicous. Leaves scarcely crisped when dry, margin never incurved, 

 (a) . Stems short. Capsule elliptic, mouth narrow. 



Fig. 2. Gymnostomum tenue. 

 Slender Beardless Moss (a) . 



Colour. Light green. 



Stems. Very short, in patches. 



Leaves (b) . Sub-erect, tongue-shaped (Ungulate), those of the perichaetium 

 larger, convolute. 



Capside. Red-brown, erect, elliptical. Ring- round the mouth (annulus) , 



remaining when the capsule is ripe (persistent) . Summer. 

 Locality. On sandstone. Rare. 



E 



