CRYPTQGAMIA Musci.
G en. 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 creeping, much branched. Leaves
awl-shaped, ribless, entire. Capsule ovate, drooping.
Lid awl-shaped.
Syn. Hypnum tenellum. Dicks. Crypt, fasc. 4. 1 6*
t. 11 , f . 12 . Sun. FI. Brit. 1308. Turn. Muse.
Hib. 170. Winch, v. 1. 110.
f IRST noticed by Mr. Dillwyn about the roots of trees in
Kent. The Rev. Mr. Williams has found it on the under sides
of projecting stones and roots on Acton Burnell hill Shropshire,
and Mr. Stone on walls in Norwich. Our present specimens
were gathered by Mr. Templefton, on limestone or
flint, in moist shady places near Belfast, bearing fruit iu
April.
It forms small dense perennial tufts of creeping stems.,
throwing up several short erect branches; the whole being
clothed with densely imbricated, slender, awl-shaped, entire
leaves, of a full bright green, without afiy rib, except possibly
near the base. Stalks from minute sheaths, red, half or
three quarters of an inch long, erect, taller than the branches,
at length curved at the summit. Capsule drooping or pendulous,
ovate, short, obtuse, brown, smooth, with an awl-
shaped lid, about its own length. The fine slender leaves
essentially distinguish this species. Neither Hedwig, nor
any other foreign botanist, seems to have known it.