SPHAGNUM capillifolium.
Slender Bog-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
Gen. Char. Caps, without a fringe. V eil cut round,
its base remaining on the Base of the capsule.
Antherce surrounded with a rinar.
Spec. Char. Branches slender, bent downward. Leaves
ovato-lanceolate, pointed, flatfish, close-pressed.
Syn. Sphagnum capillifolium. Hedw. Sp. Muse. 28.
Sm. FI. B rit. 1 ] 46. Turn. Muse. Hihern. 6 .
S. palustre jS. Linn. Sp. P i. 1 5 6 9 . Buds. 465. With.
783. Hull. 245.
S. palustre molle deflexum, squamis capillaceis. D ill.
Muse. 243. t. 32. ƒ . 2. A.
S. cauliferum et' ramosum palustre molle candicans,
reflexis ramulis, foliis angustioribus. D ill, in Rail
Syn. 104.
N o t less abundant than the foregoing on bogs in rather
mountainous places, and bearing fruit at the same season. It
agrees with that in colour, but is more frequently tinged red,
especially when in a dwarf state. The branches are much
more slender, and generally more pendulous; at least the very
slender close-pressed branches are in this species more numerous.
The leaves afford a most certain distinction, being smaller,
narrower, almost flat, tipped with a sharp point which varies
in length. Capsule ovate, its stalk generally longer than in
the last.
Mr. J. Sowerby has observed the reticulations of the leaves
to be very different from those of the preceding, the little
transverse veins running in parrs. A fold or keel like a nerve
is frequently perceptible.