2 °l- [ 2 0 3 6 ]
HYPNUM Stokesii.
Alpine Trailing Feather-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Musci.
Gen. Char. Caps, ovate-oblong, from a lateral scaly
sheath. Outer fringe of 16 teeth, dilated at the base:
inner a variously-toothed membrane. Veil smooth.
Spec. Char. Stem pinnate. Leaves spreading every
way, heartshaped, pointed, minutely serrated, single-
ribbed. Capsule ovate, drooping. Lid conical,
pointed.
Syn. Hypnum Stokesii. Sm. FI. Brit. 1300. -Turn.
Muse. Bib. 159. t. 15. f . 2 .
D is c o v e r e d by Dr. Whitley Stokes in the hollows of
rocks under the eagle’s nest at Lough Bray. Having received
from Professor. Swartz more perfect specimens of the fruit
than had previously been seen, we have annexed a branch of
his plant. .This species appears intermediate between H. um-
Iratum, with which it agrees much in leaves and habit, and
H. prcelongum, which it more nearly approaches in dimensions
and fructification. Still we think it cannot be united
to either. Dr. Swartz names it H. Ludwigii of Bridel, and
we have been told it is H. strigosufn of Hoffmann, FI. Germ,
v. 2. 76. These authorities may, by the right of priority, to
which in this case we ought to submit, disturb our name, but
they confirm our species.
Our plant has loosely creeping stems, with crowded pinnate
or bipinnate branches. Leaves imbricated every way,
spreading, of a full but bright green, somewhat shining,
heartshaped, twisted, sharp-pointed, single-ribbed, not always
to the extremity, more closely and finely serrated than in
H. prcelongum. Sheaths whitish, Stalks red, an inch long,
scarcely rough except towards their base. Capsule drooping,
ovate. Lid conical, curved, pointed, rather thicker, if we
mistake not, than in the prcelongum, t. 2035.
2036
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