WEISSIA CILIATA.
IVeissia foliis lingulatis longissime ciliatis.
CLXXI.)
H ab. E x insula Ternatæ accepit D. Dicksonus.
(T ab.
Caules densissime cæspitosi, vix semiunciam longi, simplices vel
innovationibus (ut videtur) ramosi,ferrugineo-tomentosi. Folia
pallide viridia, laxe sed undique disposita, subflexuosa, lingulata,
planiuscula, marginibus subincrassatis, undique iiervoque
superne, ciliis longissimis distantibus albis instructa. Suh-
stuntia mollis, reticulata, areolis parvis, rotundatis, inferne
membranacea, pellucida, pulcherrime reticulata, areolis magnis
obloiigo-quadratis. Seta terminalis, breviuscula. Capsula
ovata, erecta. Operculum conico-rostratum, rostro capsula
paulo breviore. Calyptra junior, integra, deinum lateraliter
fissa, dimidiata. Peristomium e dentibus 16 longiusculis.
A more singular or beautiful object for the microscope in the
whole order of Musci does not exist than the subject of the annexed
plate. There is a peculiar delicacy and transparency about
the foliage, tlie lower part of which is singularly loosely cellular,
and the margins and nerve above are beset with distantly placed
hairs, in a manner totally unlike any other moss that I am acquainted
with. The fructification seems to be rare. Among
several specimens which I possess, I was able to find only one
which had perfect fruit. It grows on half-decayed wood.
Fig. 1, tuft of plants, nat. size. Fig. 2, single plant. Fig. 3,
leaf. Fig. 4, portion of ditto. Fig. 5, young calyptra. Fig. 6,
capsule and operculum. Fig. 7, fully formed calyptra. Fig. 8,
teeth of the peristome.—magn.
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