[ 2004 ]
y& 6
D I C R A N U M squarrosum.
Drooping-leaved Fork-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
G e n . C h a r . Caps, ob long . Fringe o f 16 flat, cloven
teeth, a little inflexed.
S p e c . C h a r . Stem branched, level-topped. Leaves
Janceolate, recurved, spreading every way. Capsule
ovate, inclining, smooth.
Syn. Dicranum squarrosum. Schrad. Journ.for 1802,
fasc. 1. 68. Sm. Fl. Brit. 1225. Turn. Muse.
Hib.69.
B ryum palustrre. Dicks. Crypt, fasc. 4. 1 1 .
B pellucidum /3. Linn. Sp. PL 1583.
B. erectis capitulis brevibus, foliis reflexis. Dill.
Muse* 365. t. 46. ƒ . 24. Rail Syn. 95.
A NATIVE of mountain bogs. Mr. Hooker and Mr. Borrer
inform us that the luxuriant barren variety is common in the
highlands of Scotland, but that the more dwarf plants which'
bear fructification are rare. Some of these, gathered by our
abovementioned friends on rocks by the side of Great Loch
Broom, Ross-shire, are here exhibited along with the former.
We first received this species from Dr. Buchanan, who gathered
it atLeney near Stirling in 1734, when, the Hedwigian
principles being unknown amongst us, it was suspected to belong
to Hypnum squarrosum.
The stems are either simple or branched, in perennial level-
topped tufts ; such as form fructification are an inch or two in
height, while others are 3 or 4 times as tall. They are all
leafy, and the lower parts bear many rusty-coloured fibres or
radicles. The leaves are squarrose, or project in every direction,
lanceolate, recurved, entire, acute, single-ribbed, pellucid,
light green, turning rusty or black as in other water
mosses. Fruitstalks about an inch high, crimson, rather
thick. Capsule inclining, and at length curved, oVate, smooth,
dark or reddish brown. Fringe deep purple. Lid red, conical,
sometimes almost as long as the capsule, and slightly curved.