NECKERA pumila.
Small Feathery Neckera.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
Gen. Char. Caps, oblong, from a lateral scaly sheath.
Outer f r in g e of 16 sharp teeth: inner of 16 capillary
alternate ones. V e i l smooth.
Spec. Char. Branches pinnate. Leaves in two ranks,
ovate, slightly undulated. Fruit-stalk not much longer
than the sheath.
Syn. Neckera pumila. Hedw. Sp. M u s e. 205. Crypt,
v. 3. 49. t. 20, Sm. F L B r i t . 1272.
Hypnumpennatum. D ic k s , C ry p t ,fa s c . 1, 5. t. 1 .ƒ. 8,
W ith. 852. H u l l . 268.
Fontinalis pennata. H u ds. 4 6 8 ; the synonyms wrong.
M r . BORRER has obligingly favoured us with specimens of
this moss from several parts of Sussex. It spreads flat over
the trunks of trees, and is very rare in fructification. Indeed
few parts of Britain can boast it at all, nor does it seem to be
known in any other country, Hedwig’s figure being drawn
from a specimen, destitute of lid or veil, sent him by Light-
foot. Mr. Dickson, who first observed it in Sussex, rightly
described it as different from the Fontinalis pennata, for which
Hudson had mistaken it, little suspecting it to be new. Having
found the trees covered with it (but without fruit) between
Troutbeckand Ambleside in the summer of 1782, I have from
that time had no doubt of its being Hudson’s plant.
The stems are branched and pinnated, clothed with pale
pellucid shining ovate entire leaves in 2 ranks. When dry
the leaves are transversely undulated or plaited, but less than
in N. crisp a, t. 617- Sheaths axillary, long and taper. Stalk
not much longer than the sheath, straight, tawny. Capsule
inclining, elliptical, tawny, smooth. Lid short, conical, incurved.
Veil of a similar form, but larger. Fringe pale and
tender, of 16 striated teeth, and as many very small ones
between them, all soon falling off”.
s4prr!2 r. z8o c. J r JZenAvns.