stem, but larger, at first connivent, then reflexed.
1 erianth absent. Calyptra linear oblong. Pedicel
I inch long. Capsule pale brown, opening by two
or four valves, frequently held together by the
elaters. Spores roundish or angular, reticulate,
reddish brown. Antheridia globose, golden yellow
five or .SIX together in the axils of the upper leave«!
of the male plant.
G e n u s 3 4 . FOSSOMBRONIA, Raddi.
Involuc re scale-like, more or less coalescing
with the colesule. Per ianth campanulate,
lobed, mouth funnel-shaped. Capsule univalvular,
globose, with four teeth, dehiscing
irregularly. Elaters geminate, naked, deciduous.
Plants small, mos t ly dest itute of a true
stem .—J u n g . Etrusc. (1820), p. 40.
Fossombronia pusilla, Z., Dum.
Either detached or in tufts or patches.
Stems prostrate, unbranched. L e a v e s closely
set in two opposite rows, squarish, crisp or
waved, ext remi ty notched. Perianth large,
campanulate, border lobed and waved.
Jungermannia pusilla, Linn. Sp. 1603
Hook. Br. Jung. t. 69 ; Eng. Bot. t. 17 75
Fossombronia pusilla, Dum. Rev. Jung. p. n
Cot t . and Rab. Exs. No. 8, 122, 488 ; Cooke
Hep. f. 164.
Moist banks. (Fr. Aut. Spr.)
Crowing detached, or thickly matted in patches
of many inches. Stems procumbent,
flat, one to three 01-
four lines long, cylindrical or
compressed, simple, or more
rarely once or twice dichotomous.
Leaves closely placed,
obliquely decurrent, horizontal,
rather square, waved, cut into
two, three, or four obtuse notches
at the apex, forming blunt
segments, pale green. Calyx
singly or two to three together,
large, campanulate, with a cleft
at the margin, the border crenate
and waved (fig. 168), five
minute stipulate processes at the base. Sometimes
the calyx is cut into three or four unequal segments.
Calyptra spherical, white. Capsule spherical,
reddish brown, thin and delicate, bursting
irregularly.
Elaters of two or more spirals. Spores round
with elevated parallel or radiating ribs, rarely anas!
tomosing, 40-45^ diam.
Fossombronia eaespitiformis, De Not.
Stem simple, v e r y s h o r t ; leav es undulate,
apex angular ly toothed. Perianth terminal,
plicately waved, rather denticulate. Sp o re s
spinulose.
Lichenastrum pinnulis, &c.. Dill. Muse. 493,