84 



BRITISH MOSSES. 



CERATODON. 



PURPLE FORK MOSS (Figs. 13, 14). 

 Generic Character. 



Capsule and peristome (a) much as in Dicranum ; the latter when dry spirally- 

 incurved. Stems branched below the fertile flower. Leaves three to five rows ; 

 areolas small. 



Fig. 13. Ceratodon purpureus. 

 Purple Fork Moss (h) . 



Colour. Purplish. 



Stems. Quarter-inch to three inches long, in patches, matted together, branched. 

 Leaves (c) . Base erect, apex curved ; oblong-lanceolate ; margins recurved ; 

 nerve excurrent. 



Capsule. Nearly erect, not quite regular ; capsule and seta purplish ; beak long, 



when dry angular. Spring. 

 Locality. Common everywhere on banks and walls. 



Fig. 14. Ceratodon cylindricus. 

 ~N arrow-fruited. Fork Moss (a) . 



Colour. Yellow green. 



Stems. Separate, in patches (gregarious) , short. 



Leaves. Base sheathing, upper part subulate ; nerve strong, toothed. 

 Capsule. Small, nearly erect, curved, smooth ; seta long and slender. ApriL 

 Locality. Sandy banks, not common. 



