“ Pulchrius vix ullum genus, difficiliora non multa*.”
Few mosses are more intricate or more elegant than those
of this family. Several of the species possess very slight
characters, and it is chiefly by a knowledge of their habit
that they can be easily recognised. The obvious mark of
this species may be observed in the exserted cylindrical furrowed
capsule, whose peristome is destitute of cilia. The
foliage of this and several other Orthotricha is remarkable
for its sudden expansion in water, after having been dried.
Immediately after immersion the leaves spring back from
the stem, and after remaining widely spread out and recurved
for a short period, they gradually recover their usual posture.
Fruit ripe in J une.—W. W.
Mohr & Weber, FI. Cr. Germ. p. 229.
