scending stolons beset with radical fibres intermixed with
minute leaves. The stem-leaves are either distichous or occasionally
subsecund, more or less concave, ovate, not acuminated,
of a darker green than those of the other species, and
less crowded, the double nerve reaching half-way; when dry
somewhat twisted and contracted, scarcely glossy, entire, the
margins not reflexed. Perichaetial leaves reflexed at the
summit. Fruitstalks reddish, scarcely twisted when dry.
Capsule more or less cernuous, often horizontal, paler and
larger than that of denticulatum •, the apophysis more evident,
not furrowed when dry, and the mouth then dilated. Peristome
pale yellow, the outer teeth erect below, the upper part
suddenly bent and hooked. Annulus of larger cellules and
the spores larger than in the other species. Operculum longer
and evidently "rostrate, half as long as the capsule and sometimes
longer.
The figure in this work, t. 1260, of H. denticulatum has
been referred by Bridel to this species without any just cause,
for neither the description nor the figure of the operculum
and capsule is at all suitable. The example from which the
figure was taken is not very characteristic of the species, and
is probably a mountain form, common on Snowdon and elsewhere.
H. denticulatum is a variable species: one state of it
(which we suspect to be what is usually mistaken for H. syl-
vaticum) has hermaphrodite flowers; but that species is never
dioicous, the capsule is always more erect, and has (with the
peristome) a reddish tint; when dry it is somewhat furrowed
and suddenly constricted below the mouth. Leaves not much
contracted and not at all twisted when dry, obliquely ovate,
acuminate, glossy, obscurely two-nerved at the base. Operculum
short and conical, always less than half the capsule in
length. Fruit ripening at an earlier season.—W. W.
Fig. 1, capsule, young; 2, older, before the fall of the operculum
; 3, old capsule moistened with opercula of various
forms; 4, perichaetial leaves; 5, stem-leaves; 6, male flowers;
7, capsule and leaves of H. denticulatum.