) z i [ 2163 ]
E N C A L Y P T A streptocarpa.
Spiral-fruited Extinguisher-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
G en. Char. Caps, cylindrical. Fringe of 16 linear
upright teeth. Veil campanulate, inflated, wide.
Spec. Char. Veil contracted and jagged at the margin.
Stem branched. Leaves oblong. Capsule spirally
furrowed.
Syn. Encalypta streptocarpa. Hedw. Sp. Muse. 62,
t. 10. ƒ 10— 15, Sm. FI. Brit. 1182.
Bryum ciliare. Dicks. Crypt, fa sc . 4. 15 ; exclusive
o f the synonyms.
B. n. 1828. Hall. Hist. v. 3. 48. t. 4 5 . f . 3.
Hypnum saxatile erectum, ramulis teretibus, foliis sub.
rotundis saturate viridibus. Dill. Muse. S35. t. 43,
f 7 U
F o UND by Mr. Dickson on the mountains of Scotland,
Specimens from himself, one of which is the tallest in our
plate, the other being from Switzerland, have enabled us to
determine his plant; while an investigation of the herbarium
of Dillenius has discovered the true synonym of that author,
who has heretofore been erroneously quoted, and who never
saw the fruit of this curious moss.
This is much larger than any other of its genus, The stems,
which grow in tufts, vary in height from 1 to 2 inches or more,
and are mostly branched ; they are entirely clothed with dark-
green, oblong, entire, obtuse and rounded leaves, imbricated
every way, incurved and twisted when dry, each furnished
with a strong coloured mid-rib. Fruit-stalks at first terminal,
soon becoming lateral, solitary, nearly erect, strong, purplish,
naked at the base. Capsule erect, cylindrical, a little swelling
at the lower part, brown, very neatly and curiously furrowed
in a spiral manner, an unique instance of the kind, as
far as we know, in mosses. Lid not so long as the capsule,
straight, bluntish, tawny, red at the bottom. Veil large,
cylindrical, smooth, shining, pointed, jagged, and somewhat
contracted, at the base. Fringe red, straight, deciduous.
■ H