F v
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
Gen. Char. Caps, ovate-oblong, from a lateral scaly
sheath. Outer fringe of 16 teeth, dilated at the baseh
inner a variously-toothed membrane. Veil smooth.
Spec. Char. Stem pinnate, round. Branches pointed.
Leaves oblong-lanceolate, nerveless, smooth, imbricated
every way. Lid conical, acute.
Svn. Hypnum cuspidatum. Linn. Sp. PI. 1595. Sm.
FI. Brit. 1317- Hedw. Sp. Muse. 254. Muds. 505.
With. 862. Hull. 273. Belli. 437. Sihth. 300.
Abbot. 250. Dicks. H. Sicc.fasc. 7. 20. Turn.
Muse. Hib. 177.
H. palustre, extremitatibus cuspidatis et pungentibus.
Dill. Muse. 300. t. 3 9 ./. 34.
H. repens palustre, foliis triangularibus per caules
expansis, extremitatibus convolutis et acuminatis.
Raii Syn. 82.
T h i s is a native of wet plashy meadows and clear springs,
bearing fruit plentifully in March and April.
The stems are upright, various in their length, which is
generally 6 or 8 inches. Their whole form is lanceolate and
acute, composed of several short, two-ranked branches, the
uppermost of which, as well as the main stem, are pointed,
almost pungent, with a sort of bud, composed of leaves closely
enfolding each other. The leaves are of a light shining green,
imbricated, rather spreading, oblong, acute, entire, without
ribs, veins, or plaits. Fruit-stalks 2 or 3 inches long, red,
their sheaths of long whitish striated leaves. Capsule ovate-
oblong, much curved, of a red tawny hue, smooth. Lid conical,
short, acute.