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[ 2563 ]
G R I M M I A trichodes.
jBristle-leaved Grimmia.
CRYPTOGAM!A Musci.
Gen. Char. Fringe simple, of 16 teeth, broadest at
their base. Flowers terminal. Veil cylindrical.
Spec. Char. Stem none. Leaves bristle-shaped,
curved to one side. Capsule ovate, erect, furrowed.
Lid awlshaped. Fringe membranous,
furrowed, deciduous.
S yn. Gymnostomum trichodes. Web„ et Mohr Ind.
Crypt. 3.
R e c e iv e d from Mr. W. Borrer, who found it in February
1813, in a stone-pit at Henfield, Sussex. Dr. Taylor had previously
met with the same species in Ireland.
This is almost as diminutive a moss as G. pusilla, t. 2551,
with which it nearly agrees in habit, forming similar velvet-like
patches, but of a brighter green. The leaves are likewise
bristle-shaped, and dilated at their base, but rathter longer, and
Curved to one side. Capsule ovatej pale brown, with 16 longitudinal
furrows. Lid awlshaped, nearly as long as the capsule,
not quite erect. Veil splitting at the base into several segments,
as in some of the genus Trichostomum.
The fringe is the greatest peculiarity Of this moss, and so
very singular is that part, that the genus becomes consequently
involved in great difficulty. It seems to have escaped the notice
of Weber and Mohr altogether, whence they made the plant a
Gymnostomum. Mr. Borrer observes that the fringe seems a
continuation of the inner coat of the capsule, and looks at first
like a thin inflexed membrane, nearly closing the mouth; afterwards,
when dry, it becomes reflexed, forming 16 very short,
blunt, flat and pale teeth, and soon falls off.—Mr. J. D. Sowerby
found each tooth divided by a line, transversely furrowed, and
occasionally emarginate. In the present state of our knowledge
we cannot but refer this moss to Grimmia, with several received
species of which it accords in habit.