6 z
IIYPNUM triquetrum.
Great TrianOgular Feather-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
G e n . C h a r . Caps. ovate-oblong, from a lateral scaly
sheath. Outer fringe of 16 teeth, dilated at the base:
inner a variously-toothed membrane. Veil smooth.
S p e c . C h a r . Stem ascending, somewhat pinnated.
Leaves triangular, pointed, striated, spreading in
every direction. Lid conical.
SyN. Hypnum triquetrum. Linn. Sp. PI. 1589. Sm.
FI. Brit. 1325. Hedw. Sp. Muse. 256. Huds. 496.
With. 850. Hull. 2 70 . Relh. 433. Sibth. 296.
Mbbot. 246. Hicks. H. Sicc.Jasc. 16.21. Turn.
Muse. Hib. 186.
H. vulgare triangulum, maximum et pallidum. Dill.
Muse. 293. t. 38. f . 28.
H. repens, triangularibus majoribus et pallidioribus
foliis. Raii Syn. 80.
V E R Y common in woods and on heaths, bearing fruit in
the winter and early spring. It is readily known from all our
other species by its great size.
The stems are nearly erect, often a foot long, stiff and
tough, red when stripped, much branched in a somewhat
pinnate manner, leafy, their branches often tapering and
curved downwards at the points. Leaves pale, rather shining
green, crowded, spreading horizontally every way, flat, of a
triangular shape with a point, longitudinally furrowed and
obscurely ribbed, minutely serrated. Sheath of many taper-
pointed recurved leaves. Fruit-stalks about 2 inches long,
red, smooth and shining. Capsule drooping, ovate, short,
brown, when old sometimes irregularly furrowed or wrinkled.
Lid conical, short.
This moss is one of the most useful for packing, being,
whether in a dry or wet state, peculiarly elastic and light.