CRYPTO G AMI A Mu ici.
Gen. Char. Capsule ovate, without any separate lid,
deciduous. Veil minute, deciduous.
Spec. Char. Shoots creeping, jointed, branched. Leaves
ovato-lanceolate, pointed, toothed.
Syn. Phascum stoloniferum. Dicks. Crypt, fasc. 3. 1.
t. 7.ƒ. 2. Sm. FI. Brit. 1157. H&dw. Sp. Muse. 24.
With. 786. Hull. 252.
Ph. serratum (3. Turn. Muse. Hib. 4.
F ir s t discovered by Mr. E. Forster in the neighbourhood
of Walthamstow. Our specimens were communicated by
Mr. G. Don from Scotland. It grows on naked clay in damp
places, and is presumed to be perennial. The capsules are
ripened in April.
Mr. Turner has always suspected this to be but a variety of
the serratum, t. 460, from which indeed it principally differs
in having very distinctly creeping, strong, branched shoots,
which, like-proper creeping roots, throw up, here and there,
tufts of erect, ovato-lanceolate, taper-pointed, strongly toothed
leaves, in whose centre stands an ovate, or nearly globular,
brown, almost sessile capsule. How far the singular, compound,
Conferva-like shoots of Ph. serratum, otherwise
seemingly of no use, may be capable of becoming hardened
perennial roots, we are not furnished with sufficient observations
to decide, but we are much inclined to assent to thaj
opinion.