456 
IV. MTJSCI. 
[. Dawsonia . 
narrow linear- subulate, with a large sheathing base, sometimes 1 in. long, 
spinulose-serrate. Fruitstalk short, stout, 2-4 in. long. Capsule generally 
partially hidden by the leaves ; peristome of excessively numerous (above 
500), filiform, cylindric cilia, in 8 or 9 concentric layers. Calyptra small, 
covered with smooth matted hairs. 
Northern and Middle Islands ; in dense forests, probably common ; from Auckland 
southward, Sinclair ; Massacre Bay, Lyall ; Otago, Lindsay. One of the most magnificent 
known mosses. (Tasmania and Australia.) 
48. ANCECTANGIUM, Br. and Sch. 
Tufted, perenial, dioecious mosses, growing on rocks and banks. Stems 
dichotomous ; branches fastigiate. Leaves crowded, linear-lanceolate or subu- 
late ; cells small, roundish. Fruitstalk lateral, elongate, slender. Capsule 
erect, ovoid or obovoid, membranous, with a short inflated apophysis ; 
annulus small ; teeth 0. Operculum with a slender inclined beak. 
A small European subalpiue genus. 
1. A. compactum, Schw mgr. Tufts dense, bright yellow-green. Stems 
1-4 in. high. Leaves 3-farious, spreading from an erect base, incurved, 
crisped when dry, lanceolate, acuminate, keeled; margin flat, slightly toothed 
towards the base ; nerve pellucid, subexcurrent. Fruitstalk pale, Jg- in. long. 
Capsule small, oblong-ovoid, pale ; operculum as long as the capsule. — 
Wils. Bryol. Brit. 311. t. 5. Gymnostomum mdivum, Hedwig. 
Middle Island : open grounds, Otago, Hector and Buchanan. (Europe.) 
49. AULACOPILUM, Wils. 
A minute, creeping, sparingly-branched monoecious moss. Leaves dis- 
tichous, nerveless, glaucous, papillose ; cells most minute. Fruitstalk short, 
stout, lateral. Capsule erect, ovate-globose, truncate at the mouth, exannu- 
late ; teeth 0. Operculum conical, beaked. Calyptra large, including the 
capsule, and embracing the fruitstalk below it, grooved, split at the side. 
1. A. glaucum, Hook. f. and Wils. in Lond. Journ. Hot. 1848, 90. t. 
iv. A; — FI. N. Z. ii. 98. Stems creeping, | in. long, sparingly branched. 
Leaves pale glaucous-green, spreading, oppressed when dry, distichous, 
obliquely ovate, acuminate, papillose ; perichaetial erect, lanceolate. Fruit- 
stalk in. high. Capsule about half as long as the fruitstalk. 
Northern Island : Bay of Islands, on trees with Fabronia, Colenso. (South Africa, 
Mitten .) 
50. FABRONIA, Bridel. 
Minute, tufted, creeping, monoecious mosses, usually growing on trunks of 
trees. Leaves imbricate, usually ciliate-toothed or serrulate, membranous; 
cells large, lax. Fruitstalk latei’al. Capsule erect, of thin texture, subglo- 
bose or pyriform ; annulus 0 ; teeth 16, in pairs, inflexed, coriaceous. Oper- 
culum various. Calyptra cucullate. 
Generally tropical or subtropical mosses ; two are found in Europe. 
1. F. australis, Hook. Muse. Exot. t. 160 ; — El. N. Z. ii. 98. Minute. 
