D IC R A N UM uncinatum.
Hooked Fork-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
G en. Char. Caps, oblong. Fringe o f 16 flat, cloven
teeth, a little inflexed.
Spec. ChaIr. Stem mostly simple. Leaves bristle-
shaped, keeled, ribless, curved to one side. Capsule
dropping, with a lateral tumour at its base.
Syn. Dicranum flavidum. Swartz. JVIss.
Bryum uncinatum. Dicks. Crypt, fasc. 4. 11. t : 11.
ƒ . 8.
COMMUNICATED by Mr. Dickson, who discovered this
species on the naked turfy soil of some of the Highland mountains
of Scotland, nor do we know of its having been found by
any other person in Britain. Dr. Swartz sent specimens of the
same in 1805, o f which our large tuft consists, under the apt
name of D . flavidum,-, but the above was first established.
The stems vary in height, and according to Mr. Dickson
are sometimes nearly an inch tall. Hence we judge them to be
perennial. Leaves light green, curved more or less to one side,
tapering and slender-pointed, entire, keeled, but 'without a
rib; broad at their base. Fruitstalk terminal, solitary, half an
inch high, slender, pale yellow, at length wavy. Capsule
inclining, rather pear-shaped, curved, smooth, tawny yellow,
with a small swelling on one side at its base. Lid awlshaped,
inflexed, as long or longer than the capsule. Fringe not seen
by us, but described by Mr. Dickson as composed of inflexed
cloven teeth, which stamps the generic character, confirmed
by Dr. Swartz.
A comparison with t. 1151 will show how this moss differs
from D . crispum, which it in many points resembles.