HYPNUM implexum.
Green Matted Feather-moss.
CRYPTOGAMIA Mtisd.
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 creeping. Branches crowded,
erect. Leaves lanceolate, pointed, finely serrated,
single-ribbed. Lid conical.
Syn. Hypnum implexum. Swartz. Act. Holm. ann. 1795.
264. Sm. FI. Brit. 1310. Turn. Muse. Hib. 173.
t. 16.
H. plumosum. Swartz. Muse. Suec. 66.
C o m m u n ic a t e d by Mr. W. Brunton from stones near
Ripon. It was originally noticed by Mr. G. Donn on a large
stone near the foot of Ben Lawers, and afterwards in Angus-
shire. It has also been found in Ireland and near Newcastle.
The capsules are ripened in the spring.
The colour varies from a pale yellowish green to a rather dark
grass green, and is accompanied by a silky gloss, especially
in a dry state. The stems creep over stones,' bearing numerous
short crowded upright cylindrical branches, which are
thickly clothed with leaves, and seldom divided. The leaves
spread every way, but slightly, and are lanceolate, long-
pointed, concave at the base, finely serrated in the upper
part, and furnished with a rib from the base to the summit.
Fruitstalks little more than half an inch long, red, apparently
smooth, but under a magnifier they are found to be finely
granulated. Sheath of a few pale loose ovate pointed leaves.
Capsule inclining, ovate, smooth, of a chesnut brown. Lid
conical, with a sharp point.