# The Journal of Indian Botany/Volume 2/August 1921/On a Collection of Mosses from the Kanara district

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ON A COLLECTION OF MOSSES FROM THE KANARA DISTRICT.
BY
H. N. Dixon, M.A., F.L.S.,
Northampton, England.
I have in my herbarium numerous unpublished species of Mosses from various parts of India, including the types of a considerable number of new species, mostly from the Madura District, S. India, pro- posed by Mons. Cardot, and received from him before the war, Various reasons prevent the publication of these at the present time, not least the high cost of printing. A new Moss Mora of India is greatly needed, and if in the course of the next few years this should be possible, it may be best to include the publication of these new species in such a work.
The present collection, however, was made in a somewhat restric- ted area, and it seems desirable to treat it independently, being made in a little worked district, and with some rather special features of geographical and climatic interest. It was made by Mr. L. J. Sedg- wick, P.L.S., on a trip with some friends to the Gairsoppa Falls, via Kanvar and the Devimane Ghat, all in N. Kanara, in October 1919, and the country further inland South and West of Dharwar during three preceding years.
Mr. Sedgwick has collected mosses in several parts of the Bombay Presidency, in or near the Western Ghats ; some of the results have been already published (cf. Journ. of Bot. 47, p. 157 ; 48, p. 297 ; 49, p. 137 ; 50, p. 145), while others await publication.
The rapid diminution in the rainfall as one proceeds eastwards from the crest of the Ghats is very striking, and the character of the moss-flora is naturally very directly affected by it. Thus at Castle Eock, about 15. 5° N. lat , and 74. 5° E. long., the rainfall is about 250 in., not much less than its maximum in the Ghats (at Mahablesh- war it reaches 276 in.) ; at Anmod, which is close to Castle Kock, it has already fallen to probably about 150 in. ; while at and round about Dharwar, less than 50 miles inland, it is about 30-40 in., annually.
It will give some idea of the collecting ground, and at the same time will avoid much repetition of details in the list of mosses if I re- produce here some notes sent me by Mr. Sedgwick as to several of the localities where gatherings were made. ​ Anmod ... Close to Castle Kock, but rainfall less; probably
not more than 150 in. Dharwar ... Long. 75 and due E. of Castle Eock ; alt. 2400 ft.;
rainfall 32 in. Nigadi ... A few miles west of Dharwar.
Tadas ... About 30 miles S.S.W. of Dharwar ; altitude
similar ; rainfall about the same. Konankeri ... About ten miles south of Tadas ; alt. about 2000
ft.; rainfall about 35 in. Shiggaon ... About 40 miles S. S. E. of Dharwar; rainfall
below 30 in. The few mosses gathered here
were from tree boles. &c, in a spice garden, i.e.
an artificially shady and moist spot in the very
dry area. Siddhapur ... Alt. 1600 ft.; rainfall 120 in. Jog. ... Alt. 1400 ft. ; rainfall 200 in. at least, possibly
very much more, supplemented by heavy
nightly mists from the Gairsoppa falls. Sampkhand ... Kainfall 200 in. Karwar ... Near coast; sea-level. Eainfall 120 in.
It is not to be expected, however, that the diverse phytogeogra- phical conditions of the above localities will be very clearly reflected in the present collection, a small one, consisting of only 120 numbers ; any such conclusions could only be come to by means of comparative tables based on a fairly thorough exploration of the different localities.
To save space I have not included detailed records of several of the more common S. Indian species, each represented by several numbers ; viz. Octoblepharum albidum (4) ; Macromitrium sulcatum (4) ; Bryum coronatum (4) ; Bryum Wightii (3) ; Pogonatum aloides (l) ; Diaphanodon, procumbent (5) ; Ectropolhecium cyperoides (4).
The types of the new species are in my herbarium.
ARCHIDIACEAE.
Archidium birmannicum Mitt. MS. in Herb., sp. nov. (fig. 1).
Cae3pites densi, olivaceo-virides, A. altemifolium referentes ; caules 1-2 cm. alti, tenelli, flexuosi, plerumque simplices, saepe flagelli- formes, microphylli ; caulis fertilis apud inflorescentiam innovationes plures emittens. Folia caulina circa 1 mm. longa, hie late, illic anguste lanceolata, latiuscule acuminata, integra vel subintegra ; costa sat valida, apud basin circa 50 p 1 lata, flava, percurrens vel prope apicem desinens. Areolatio foliorum caulinorum sat laxa, cellulis elongatis, anguste rhomboideo-hexagonis, sublinearibus, 6-8 p latis, ​teneris, instructa ; cellulae basilares multo laxiores ; foliorum innol vatiouum breviores, firniiores. Fructus aggregahcs, thecis 3-4 ve- pluribus simul emissis ; bracteae pericbaefciales plures, erectae, quam folia Iongiores, latiores, concavae, ceterum foliis caulinis similes. Theca (vix matura) 3 mm. longa, spbaerica, in vaginula 1 mm. longa sessilis. Cetera ignoia.
Hab. Rocks on hill-side, Karwar (6383) Sedgwick, c. fr. Rock, on open hill, Jog (6477) Sedgwick, apparently sterile. Moulmein. Burma, Rev. C. S. P. Parish (698) at. Herb. Mitten.
Differs from A. altemifolium in the longer, narrower leaves, with elongate, more delicate areolation, the aggregate setae, etc.
A. indicum Hampe and 0. M. differs in the smaller size very narrow, elongate finely subulate leaves, and thinner nerve.
I have found only two fruiting stems, the leaves of which do not differ widely from those of the sterile stems. I have not dissected an inflorescence ; it is probably paroicous. The nerve is not excurrent, even in the perichaetial leaves.
The Burmese plant is sterile, and I have therefore made the fruit- ing plant the type.
A. indicum appears at Kew'as "A. indicum Hpe...Pegu ; Yomah ; Kurz, No. 2889," Paris has it—" A. indicum CM. in Fl. 1888, No, 1," The true citation appears to be : —
A. Indicum Hampe and CM. in Fl. 1888, p. 8.
A further Indian species sent me by Mr, Sedgwick, gathered by Mr. R. B. Kinnear at Chikalda, G.P., is at present undescribed.
DICRANACEAE
Leucoloma Renauldii Broth. Stem of tree, Jog. (6468).
Sedgwick's plant agrees quite well with the description of this very distinct species.
Brotherus (Musci, 1, 324) places L, Benaulclii in the § Vittata (Sub-gen. Taeniodictyon Ren.) ; but Renauld (Essai sur les Leuco- loma, p. 42) puts it in Sub-gen. Syncratodictyon, (§ Transmutantia) where no doubt it belongs from the character of the cells (" basin versus sensim longioribus "), and its relationship to e.g. L. amoene- virens Mitt. It appears to be somewhat intermediate between that and L. strictifolium described below, but is very distinct in the un- usually narrow leaves and nearly smooth cells.
Leucoloma Walked Broth. On stem of Galophyllum, Sampk- hand (6443).
Leucoloma strictifolium Dixon sp. nov. (fig. 2).
§ Transmutantia. Caespites extensi, dense intertexti, saturate virides, caules 1 .5 — 2cm. alti, strictiusculi, sat robusti. Folia erecto​patentia, sicca erecta, stricta, nee fiexitosa nee falcata, 3 — 3.5 mm, longa, e basi oblongo-lanceolata, .3 — .4mm. lata, e basi fere sensim angustata, in subulam praelongam, subintegram, setaceam, strictam excurrentia, •
Cellulae superiores minutissimae; subquadratae, opacae ; internae chlorophyliosae, laeves vel sublaeves, basin versus sensim in basilares ubique breviter oblongas, pellucidas, quarum series paucae marginales aliquando aitius quam juxtacostales adscendunt, transmutatae ; alares magnae, vesiculares, internae pulchre aurantiacae, externae in serie- bus 1 — 2 plerumque hyalinae. Limbus marginalia hyalinus perno- tatus latus, inferne seriebus plus minusve 6 — 8 instructus, ad apicem minutissime denticulafcam productus. Cosfca basin versus 35 — 45 mm. lata, superne hyalioa.
Seta 1 cm. fere longa, flexuosa ; theca subsymmetrica, sub- cylindrica, operculo oblique rostrato.
Hab. On Galophyllum, Sampkhand (6444).
Nearest probably to L. Walkeri Broth., which is a smaller, more delicate plant with leaves somewhat flexuose when dry, and remarkably narrow below.
The cells are smooth, or obscurely papillose only, in raid-leaf ; the leaves entire or very minutely denticulate at apex. The habit is very distinct.
FISSIDENTACEAE.
§ Bryoidium.
Fissidens Zollingeri Mont. On rotten earth inside a tree, Mirjan ; alt. 300 ft. ; rainfall 150 in. (6414).
§ Semilimbidium.
Fissidens Walkeri Broth. Earth-bank of stream, Anmod (3265). Stone in stream, Sampkhand (6436) (6449) Earth-bank in evergreen, Sirsi ; rainfall above 100 in. ; alt. 1800 ft. (6459).
var. elimbatus (Broth.) Dixon comb, nov, (Fiss. elimbatus Broth, in Eecords of Bot. Survey of India I 316 (1899). Tinai Ghat, Castle Rock, N. Kanara (3262).
I have not seen authentic specimens of the two plants described by Brotherus as independent species ; but I do not think there can be any doubt, from the descriptions, of the identity of these plants.
Brotherus separates F. elimbatus from F. Walkeri solely on the following ground : —
" Species praecedenti (F. Walkeri) simillima, sed laminis omnibus elimbatis dignoscenda. "
F. Walkeri has a weak border on the vaginant lamina, reaching only halfway up the lamina. No 3262 differs only in having no trace ​of the border, and I think its proper place is as a var. of F. Walker i t in spite of the objection that it is thus necessarily placed in the § Semilirnbidium, characterized by the presence of a border on the vaginant lamina. The objection is a practical, not a scientific one, how- ever ; for there is no doubt that the presence of a weak border, or the entire absence of a border on the vaginant lamina, may at times be a character of scarcely any taxonomie value. One example, a Fissidens sent me recently from Fiji by Mr. W. Greenwood, manifested no trace whatever of border, and I determined it as a new species of Crenularia. Subsequently further specimens of what was obviously the same moss showed traces of a faint border to the vag. lamina here and there ; and later, fertile specimens showed a distinct border, (while leaves on the sterile stems of the same gathering often showed none at all) ; and the plant was recognizable as an'already described species of Semilirnbidium. In this connection it may be noticed that F. Zippelianus Bry. jav. (a Javan species with a somewhat wide distribution both East and West) while normally without border and placed by G. Mueller and Brotherus in Crispidium, is figured in the Bry. jav. showing a border on the vag. lamina ; which appears to bring it into very close relationship with F. Walkeri.
Fissidens subfirmus Dixon sp. nov. (fig. 3).
Sordide viridis ; caespites densos instruens. Gaules circa 1 cm, alti, vel paullo ultra, saepe ramulosi ; folia confertissima, subaequalia, frondem regularem densam circa 2 mm. latam instruentia, sicca eniter deplanata hand crispata, circa 1 mm. longa, oblongo-lingul- ata, acuta nee acuminata, aliquando tantum sabacuta, superne cellulis marginalibus prominentibus minute denticulata. Lamina vaginans circa h longitudinis folii, limbo superne angustissimo infra latiusculo plusminusve distincte circumdata ; lamina dorsalis ad folii insertionem producta, ibique rotundata ; costa sat valida, tricta, bene definita, flava, percurrens. Cellulae majusculae, 8-13 /* latae, hexagonae, parieti- bus fir?7iis, crassiusculis, sub pell ucidae. Theca in pedunculo perbrevi (2-3mm.) crassiusculo, indistincte ruguloso, subcurvato, erecta vel. leniter inclinata, symmetrica, ovalis, subpachydermata, parva, sicca subore vix coustricta. Operculum haud visum.
Hab. Anmod (3266), (5375).
A marked species with rather large, pellucid cells, and vag, lamina distinctly bordered (the border is most distinct in the per- ichaetial leaves and upper stem leaves, and may be almost or quite wanting in the lower leaves) ; in the short subrugulose seta, and minute rather thick-walled capsule.
F. subobscurus Par. (F. obscurus Mitt, in Journ. Linn. Soc, Bot. Vol. III. Suppl. p. 139, nee F. obscurus Mitt. op. cit. p. 138) is ​very near, but differs in more distant, longer and narrower leaves, more acute and without any border.
F. firmus Mitt, is still nearer, but is a taller plant, with more acute leaves, very stout nerve, and very strong border on the vaginant lamina. No fruit is present on Mitten's type. It is possible that the present plant may ultimately have to be united with it. It appears to have been gathered in a more or less aquatic situation.
Fissidens karwarensis. Dixon sp. nov. (fig. 4).
E minoribus generis caulis 3-4 mm. altus, plurijugus, frondem angustam, atro-viridem sistens. Folia inferiora parva, superiora multo majora, laxiuscule disposita, deplanata, sicca fortiter falcato-incurva, fragilia, oblongo-lanceolata, acuta ; lamina vaginans ad dimidiam partem folii producta vel paullo ultra ; ea foliorum inferiorum plerumque immarginata, foliorum superior um atque praecipue Roralium fortiter limbata, limbo aliquando perlato ; lamina apicalis et dorsalis elimbata, minutissimecrenulata, lamina dorsalis ad folii basin producta ibique plerumque rotundata ; costa angusta, pellucida, subpercurrens, vel in apiculum egrecliens. Areolatio perdensa, e cellulis minutissimis papulosis instructa. Seta brevis, 2-4 mm., tenella ; theca minuta, anguste elliptica, collo defluente, erecta vel leniter inclinata, sub ore constricta operculo conico-rostrato, acuto.
Dioicus videtur ; flores. haud visi.
Hab. Stones, Karwar (6368), Bole of coconut palm in irrigated spice garden, Shiggaon (3485).
Near to F. ceylonensis Mitt, but that has -still more opaque and obscure cells, narrower leaves, and dorsal lamina narrowed to base. F. Treubii Fleisch, also is very similar, but the leaves there are much longer, narrower and closer together.
The border is rather remarkable, being entirely absent from most of the leaves, but in the uppermost leaves of the fertile stems well marked and even unusually broad. Even there however it is highly variable and may be wanting.
§ Aloma.
Fissidens immutatus Dixon sp. nov. (fig. 5).
Caules aggregati, vix caespitosi, rufescentes, simplices vel parce ramosi, vix 1 cm. alti, multijugi, fusco-rubri. Folia, flavo-virides, laxe disposita, complanata, patentia, sicca hand mutata vel minime depla- nata, frondem pulchram subnitidam sistentia, rigida, oblonga, breviter acuminata vel acuta, subintegra, immarginata ; lamina vag. vix ad medium folium attingens, apice plerumque obtuso ; lamina dorsalis ad folii basin producta, ibique crenulata, rotundata ; costa valida, pellu- cida, subflexuosa, in surnmo apice evanida, Areolatio perpellucida, ​cellulis hexagonis; 12-16 ^ latis, laevibus parietibus incrassatis, pellu- cidis, instructa. Cetera ignota, Hab. Earth-bank, Karwar (6380) ; earth-bank inevergreen, Sirsi ; above 100 in. rainfall, alt, 1800 ft.
A very pretty species with the frondiform stems quite unaltered in drying, the leaves glossy, rigid, subcartilaginous, pale. In habit it comes near F. firmus Mitt, but that has the vaginant lamina strongly bordered.
§ Crispidium.
Fissidens Zippelianus Daz. and Molk.
Stones, Karwar (6376) ; stones in "stream in dense evergreen, Guddahalli Hill, Karwar (6399) : stones in stream, Sampkhand (6448J.
Fissidens macrosporus Dixon sp. nov. (Fig 6).
Stirps parva, corticola, gregaria, arborum ramulis crescens, uber- rime fructificans. Caulis simplex, rigidus, laevis (circa 5 mm, longus) ; saturate viridis. Folia sicca rigidefalcata, madida complanata, frondem brevem subflabelatam instruentia, pro magnitudine plantae majuscula, 1-1. 5mm. longa, oblongo-lanceolata velobovato-oblonga, fragilia, acuta, apiculata ; lamina dorsalis ad folii basin angustata, paullo decurrens ; lamina vaginans circa 2 folii longitudinem aequans ; costa sat valida, concolor, paullo infra apicem desinens ; margines integrae seu minutis- sime crenulatae; cellulae obscurae, haud opacae, parvae, 6-8 yu. latae, hexagonae parietibus firmis, tenuibus, chlorophyllosae, plerumque serie- bus obliquis e nervo radiantibus dispositae ; unaquaque dorso papilla alta singula praedita. Inflorescentia heteroica; flos c aut axillaris aut acrocarpus, aut in ramulo axillari brevissimo terminalis. Seta brevis- sima, 1-1. 5 mm. alta, ideo theca saepe folia suprema vix superante ; rubella; sporangium operculatum setae longitudinem fere aequans; the- ca turgide ovalis, erecta, pachydermata sicca sub ore vix constricta, operoulo acute recte anguste rostellato ; peristomium majusculum dentibus intense rubris, laevissimis, cruribus interne nodosio-incras- satis. Spori macwii, 27-30 /^, sub!aeves. Calyptra minuta, sub-conica, mitraeformis, per totam longitudinem scabra.
Hab. On twigs of trees in very wet evergreen, Gairsoppa Falls (6463). A very remarkable little species, closely fringing the small twigs on which it grows ; the extremely short seta, so that the capsule barely reaches above the floral leaves, the very large spores and highly papillose calyptra are most unusual features, perhaps unequalled in the genus.
The £ flower seems highly variable in position, and I have found a fruiting stem innovating from the apex of a stem with a terminal o flower. ​
§ Pachyfissidens. Fissidens Sedgwickii Broth, and Dixon. On stones in forest, Castle Eock (3417) c. fr.
CALYMPERACEAE.
Syrrhopodon semiliber (Mitt.) Besch. Twigs of trees, Siddhapur ; alt. 1500 ft. rainfall 120 in. (6440).
This apparently extremely rare species has only been found hitherto, I believe, by Parish, near Tavoy, in the Malay Peninsula. The present plant agrees exactly with Parish's plant at Kew. Mitten placed it under Calyrnperes but Bescherelle in litt. ad Paris refers it, no doubt rightly to Syrrhopodon ; the developed peristome points to this genus, and the calyptra also. Mitten describes the calyptra as "thecam ad collum obtegente et basi earn amplexante"; but he must have been misled by an immature or abnormal individual. Among some three dozen capsules in the Kew specimens there are none showing the calyptra as described ; the calyptra is purely that of Syr- rhopodon, and in the mature capsule reaches only about one-third of the way down ; it is perfectly free at the base, and falls off before the lid. The plant is a true Syrrhopodon.
It may be worth mentioning that Mitten's citation of " Rev. D. Parish" throughout the Musci Indiae Orientalis is incorrect. It should be " Eev. C.S.P. Parish."
Calyrnperes Nietneri CM. Var. nov. atro-viride Dixon.
Nigro-viride ; folia sicca magis crispata, circinato-incurva. minora, breviora, leniter tantum dentata.
Hab. On tree, Siddhapur ; 1600 ft. alt.; rainfall 120 in. (6482).
A marked variety but the characters seem insufficient to found a new species.
Calyrnperes Fordii Besch. Decayed tree trunk, Siddhapur, (6486) c. fr. Seems to be a slender form of this rather unsatisfactory species. It is rather curious that the only three species of this inter- esting family should have been collected all at Siddhapur.
POTTIACEAE.
Hymenostomum edentulum (Mitt.) Besch. On Ixora parvi- flora Konankeri, Dharwar District (35 fO) c. fr.
Hyophila involuta (Hook.) Jaeg. Syn. Gymnostomum involu- tion Hook. Muse. Exot, t. 154 (1820). Gyvmostomum cylindricum Hook in Lond. Journ. of Bot. 1840, p. 2. Hyophila cylindrica Jaeg Adumbr. I, 204. Hyophila stenocarpa, Ren. and Card, in Bull. Soc.
roy. bot. belg. 1899, p. 218.
1990-24 ​ Numerous gatherings ; all c. fr.
I have examined the types of Hooker's Gymnostomum involutum and G. cyliridricum, and I am unable to find any distinction. Hooker possibly was misled by an error he had made in the figure of G. involu- tum, where he depicted the leaf as entire whereas in the type specimen it is actually denticulate, as in G. cylindricum. The degree of involu- tion of the leaf margin when the leaves are in the moist condition varies very much in different specimens, and probably according to the age of the leaf, and too much reliance must not be placed on this as a separating character.
After examining a large number of specimens that would come under H. tenocarpa Een. and Card. I have finally come to the conclusion that it cannot be retained, at any rate as a species. It was founded, somewhat tentatively, as distinct from H. cylindrica on the strength of the taller stems, and the leaves scarcely involute when dry; the narrower, longer capsule, with a finer and longer beak to the lid. All these characters, however, I find very variable ; this applies very markedly to the form of the lid, which in the type of Hooker's G. in- volutum (Nepal, Wallich) shows lids from short and obtuse to almost twice the length and finely subulate ; and in the South Indian plant the form of capsule and lid are so variable that I can draw no line of distinction between H. stenocarpa and H. involuta. The plants vary very much also in size, and length of stem.
In all probability further reductions will have to be made in the genus.
Hyophila Walked Broth. Stones, Karwar (6366) c. fr.
The nerve is described as percurrent or very shortly excurrent while in Sedgwick's plant it rarely reaches quite to the apex. But I find this to be equally the case, frequently at least in original speci- mens of H. ivakeri at Kew.
Barbula consanguinea (Thw. and Mitt) Jaeg., forma.
Bole of coconut palm, spice gardens, Shiggaon (3487).
Although a tall, sterile plant, with the stems 2 cm. high, and therefore differing considerably in habit from the normal plant, the structural differences are very slight (leaves a little narrower below, wider and less acute at apex) and I think it is certainly a form of B. consanguinea.
Barbula dharwarensis Dixon sp. nov. (fig. 7).
Sordide virens, caespitosa, terrestris ; caulis circa 1cm. altus ; folia ebasi paullo dilatata ling ulato-lanceolata, apice piano, obtuso, vel sub- acido apiculato, mar gine alter o inferne leniter recurvato, ceterum piano, integer o ; patula, sicca crispato-incurva, 1 — 1.5 mm. longa. Costa ​valida ; in apiculum brevem excurrens, dorso plus minusve grossiuscule ruguloso. Cellulae subpellucidae, subquadratae, 5-7 /* latae, leniter papillosae, basilares sensim elongatae, laxiores ; infimae laxiusculate subhyalinae. Cetera ignota.
Hab. Eartb-bank in compound of rest-house, Nigadi, seven miles west of Dharwar (5703).
Belonging to the group of § Helicopogon having the back of the nerve strongly scabrous; near to B. consanguinea (Thw. & Mitt.), but, that has the leaves tapering to a point subcucullate at apex ; here they are broadly Ungulate, only the upper ones at all tapering to the point, and quite plane ; B. flavescens Hook, and Grev. and B. louisia- dum Broth, have narrower, longer leaves with much smaller cells. The leaves are remarkably like those of the European B. unguiculata, except in the rugulose back of the nerve.
Barbula indica (Hook) Brid, forma sterilis Eleisch. On a wall Sampkhand (6432).
BRYACEAE.
Brachymenium turgidum Broth & Dixon. Nov. var. nanum Dixon.
Densissime, humillime caespitosum ; partibus omnibus eis B. turgidi simillimis sed multo minoribus.
Hab. On mango, Tadas, Dharwar District, 2,400 ft. alt. ; rainfall 35 in. (5373) ; on bark of Ixora parviflora, Konankeri Dharwar, rain- fall 35 in. (3509) ; on mango trees, near Dharwar (3591)- All c. fr.
An exact miniature of B. turgidum, agreeing in all structural details, peristome, size of spores, etc. It is not in any way a starved or undeveloped state ; the fruit is well formed only smaller than in the type, and with somewhat shorter seta. It appears to be an adap- tation to the drier conditions ; the three specimens were all collected under a rainfall of 35 in., and the type was not found at all ; on the other hand Mr. Sedgwick has sent me the type from numerous loca- lities round about Mahableshwar, with a rainfall of 250 in. or over.
Bryum argenteum L. var. australe Rehm. On a wall, Shig- gaon (3486).
BARTRAMIACEAE.
Philonotis mollis (Doz & Molk) Bry. j'av. — On stone in a stream, Sampkhand (6435). Earth bank, Malamane Ghat ; 1000 ft. alt ; rainfall 202 in. (6473) c. fl. $. On bank in shade, Siddhapur, alt. 1600 ft. rainfall 120 in. ​
NECKERACEAE.
Pterobryopsis Walked.— (Broth) Broth.
Castle Rock, (5521.) On exposed rock, Guddahalli Hill, Karwar (6387). The latter a form with the leaves longly cuspidate. Both sterile. Among some plants from Mahableshwar, one, No. 4716, was in fruit. Brotherus describes the perichaetial bracts as " integerrimae." They are abruptly contracted from a broad, sheathing base to a long, rigid, loriform subula ; this is entire, but the shoulder of the basal part is often coarse and irregularly toothed, though not always so. I find the same to be the case with the Mysore plant, leg. Bretandean, det. Brotherus (Herb.Levier No. 44).
Pterobryopsis Maxwelli.— Cord. & Dixon.
Rocks in stream, Sampkhand (6433, 6434) ; trees on exposed hill summit, Guddahalli, Karwar (6388) ; twigs in very wet evergreen, Gair- soppa Falls (6466) c. fr.; trees, Caste Rock (5516, 5518, 5519) c. fr; trees, Anmod, (3310, 3311, 5376).
Barbella rufifolia.— (Thw. & Mitt.) Broth.
Hanging from trees, Siddhapur (6488). A bright green form with scarcely any of the reddish colour of the normal form ; but I find no structural difference.
Neckeropsis andamana.— (C. M.) Fleisch.
On sapling, Siddhapur (6484).
Pinnatella calcuttensis (C. M.) Fleisch.
Numerous gatherings of this were made, mostly sterile, but here and there fruiting.
Pinnatella limbata. — Dixon sp. nov. (§Urocladium). (fig. 8)
Rupicola ; perrobusta ; caulis primarius repens, nudus, rigidus, caulis secundarius elongatus, ad 4-5 cm. longus, irregulariter, saepe dense pinnatim ramosus, ramis crassis, nee compressis, flexuosis, densi- foliis, obtusis ; folia patentia concava, sicca et plicata et irregulariter rugulosa, haud crispato-incurva 2. 5-3mm. longa, basi late ovata, nee deltoidea (l. 5 mm. lata) late oblongo-lingulata, apice late acutato, irregulariter denticulato ; costa sat valida, longe infra apicem soluta, Cellulae superiores parvae, rhomboideae, latitudine variabili, saepe sigmatoideae, parietibus firmis ; laevibus ; marginem versus saepius seriebus nonnullis Iongiores, lineares, marginales ipsae seriebus circa duabus bistratosae, breviores rhomboideae, chlorophyllosae, limbum angnstum, incrassatum e basi ad apicem instruentes. Cellulae basi- lares sensim Iongiores, linearea, flexuosae, ad angulos paucae latiores, subrotundae. parietibus incrassatis, sinuosis. Cetera ignota.
Hab. Rocks in stream, Sampkhand (6437). ​ Probably the most robust species of the genus ; resembling P. Gollani in habit but quite different in structure,
Limbella marginata CM., and L. sikkimensis Een. and Card, appear to me to belong here and not to Neckeropsis ; they have some resemblance to the present species, but they differ in the flattened branches, the less robust habit, and in the thickened border of the leaves being formed of elongate cells, longer than the interior ones, while here the marginal cells are markedly shorter and chlorophyllose.
ENTODONTACEAE.
Symphyodon Perrottetii Mont., forma myuroclada.
Trees, Anmod (3263). On bole of Galophyllum, Sampkhand (6442). Also gathered at Mahableshwar (4750, 4761). A very pecu- liar form, with long parallel branches, which are slender and julaceous, of a dark reddish brown or olive green colour. It is so unlike the ordinary form that I should hesitate to place it here were it not that some plants appear to intergrade with the typical form, and I can find no structural differences. Fruit would no doubt decide the position, but all the specimens are sterile ; the species in fact I think is rarely found in fruit.
Entodon plicatus C. M. On trees, Anmod (3308). Trees, Lingmalla, 4000 ft. (4664) ; both c. fr.
Trachyphyllum inflexum (Harv.) Gepp. On bole of coco- nut palm in irrigated spice gardens, Shiggaon (3484). On bark of tree Konankeri (3518).
New to South India. Capt. Potior de la Varde in Kev. bryol., 1920, p. 20, records it from Cambodge.
Distrib. Nepal, Sikkim, and the greater part of the Malay Penin- sula.
Stereophyllum anceps (Bry. jav) Broth. Bark of Ixora, Konankeri (3507). Also collected on trees, Mahableshwar, in 1917 (4759). Both sterile. Hitherto known only from Java. Sedgwick's plant agrees quite well with a specimen in Hampe's herbarium, misit Lacoste.
HOOKERIACEAE.
Collicostella papillata (Mont.) Jaeg. f. purpurascens.
On stone in stream, Sampkhand (6439). A very pretty form, all the leaves being tinged with a deep purple red colour. No fruit was seen.
Lepidopilum rhaphidostegium (CM.) Broth. Twigs of tree in very wet evergreen, Gairsoppa Falls (6464) c. fr. : A very interest​ing discovery, as the plant has hitherto been recorded only from an unlocalized habitat in Java, and from Celebes (Herb. Lacoste). I have not been able to compare it with either of the original specimens, but it agrees quite well with Fleischer's description, and with the figures in the Bry, jav., &c.
THUIDIACEAE.
Thuidium trachypodum (Mitt.) Bry. jav. Stones in stream, in dense evergreen Guddahalli Hill, Karwar (6400) st. On stone in stream, Jog (6470)c. fr. Both of these represent an extremely small, densely caespitose, rather rigid form. The fruit however agrees quite well with T. trachypodum. T. spar si folium (Mitt.) is much like it, but apart from the almost smooth seta is larger, with slightly less obtuse, leaves. Does T. Brotheri Salm, differ from T. sparsifolium ? I cannot detect any difference, (apart from the doubtful question of infloresc- ence).
HYPNACEAE.
Ctenidium stereodontoides Dixon sp. nov. (fig. 9).
Late dense intricate caespitosum, molle, juventute laete-virens, nitescens, aetate rufo-fuscescens. Caules prostrati, intertexti, flexuosi, irregular iter, — hie illic dense — pinnati, ramis inaequalibus, flexuosis, apice subfalcatis, penicillatis, paullo compressis. Folia confertiuscula, undique patentia vel leniter falcato-deatrva, hand squarrosa, sicca valde flexuosa ; leniter plicata, oblongo-lanceolata vel anguste ovato- lanceolata, apice valde angustato, subpiliformi, subfalcato, plus minus- ve argute denticulato ; costa plerumque subnulla, marginibus planis, usque ad basin fere plus minusve denticulatis. Folia ramea similia, paullo minus anguste acuminata, apice argutius denticulata ; cellulae peranguste lineares, echlorophyllosae, dorso haud prominentes, basin wevsuparum latiores, paullo breviores, ad angulos perpaucae isodiame- tricae, parvae, 1-2 ad alas extremas majores, quadratae, hyalinae.
Dioicum. Flores ? juniores solum visi.
Hab. On stones in stream, Sampkhand (6145).
Distinct from the other Asiatic species in the habit, which with the falcate-decurved leaves is rather markedly Stereontoid ; in the posi- tion of the leaves and their outline, very little widened at base. It is perhaps most like C. pulychaete (Bry. jav.) ; but that has leaves more ovate below, and deeply cordate at base, which is not at all the case here.
Ectropothecium compressifolium (Mitt.) Jaeg. Rocks by a small waterfall, N. Kanara forests, 1400 ft. alt., rainfall 150 in. (6450) st. ​ This differs from the usual Himalayan plant in having the cells rather narrower and more opaque, and distinctly spiculose at back ; there they are either smooth or very slightly spiculose. As the species has not been recorded from Southern India it might be thought that the difference should warrant its being separated specifically or sub- specifically. But I have received a plant from the New York Bot. Garden ex herb. Mitten " Ectropothecium rotatum Mitt. MS. ; Koond, in rup, rorant., No. 55, Griffith," which must be referred to E. covipressi folium, but agrres with Sedgwick's plant in areolation entirely. I have not been able to locate " Koond," but it is clearly in northern India, and therefore connects No. 6460 and the type of E. compressifolium admirably.
Taxithelium nepalense fHarv.) Jaeg. (Syn. T. turgidellum (CM.) Par. Hypnum turgidellum CM. in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. vol. V, p. 87 (1884).
Guddahalli, Karwar (6402). On stones in stream, Sampkhand (6451). Stones, Anmod, (3422) ; trees, Anmod (3264). All c. fr.
The last two numbers represent a very fine form ; robust, with leaves much less distinctly papillose than in the usual forms ; 3422 however is somewhat nearer the type ; and other plants of T. nepalense which I have examined show so much variation than I do not think it can be given varietal rank.
T, turgidellum (CM.) is intermediate between No. 3264 and the type, and is quite inseparable from T. nepalense.
Vesicularia Levied Card. MS. in Herb. Sp. nov. (fig. 10).
Sat robust um Caules usque ad 8cm. longi, subregulariter, confer- tiuscule pinnati, ramis fig. 1 cm. long is velpaidlo ultra ; folia conferta complanata, sicca leniter contracta. subdecurvata, majuscula 1. 5mm. longa, dorsalia et ventralia ovato-lanceolata., acuminata, subfalcata, lateralia late ovata, breviter nee anguste acuminata, apicem versus denticulata, costis binis brevissimis; cellulae laxae, foliis lateralibus 14-17 /a latae (4-5 X I), parietibus firmis.
Eructus haud visus.
Hab. Ins. Andaman merid, ; Port Blair, leg. E, H. Man 1893, [Ectropothecium reticulatum in Herb. Levier, no. 5138). Dharwar District, N. Kanara (7279), leg. Sedgwick.
Near to V. retictdata (Doz. & Molk.) but more robust, and with leaves decidedly less longly and finely acuminate, less toothed above, and cells rather narrower and firmer.
Man's plant was distributed as Ectropothecium reticulatum by Levier, Bryoth. exot., No. 90.
The other Indian species are distinguished at once by either their smaller size, more acuminate lateral leaves, or much wider cells. ​
LEUOMIACEAE.
Leucomium aneurodictyon (CM.) Jaeg.
Dharwar District (7279b). Without fruit. Growing with Vesicul- ar ia Levieri. It has not, I believe, been recorded from the Asiatic continent, but is probably a plant of much wider distribution than that usually attributed to it (Sumatra, Java, Borneo) ; I have a plant from Australia, ex herb. Mitten, probably gathered by F Mueller, which I cannot separate from it, and it is probable that some of the species described from quite other parts of the world may have to be brought under it.
L. limpidum Thw. and Mitt, from Ceylon, differs in the synoicous inflorescence and in the leaves scarcely contracted when dry.
SEMATOPHYLLACEAE.
Trichostelium monostictum {Thw. and Mitt). Broth. Bark of fallen tree, Sampkhand (6441) c. fr.
Explanation of Plate.
Fig. 1. Archidium birmannicum. a, stem leaf ; x 20 ; b, branch
leaf, x 20 ; c, leaf apex, x 50 ; d, d, upper cells, x 200.
Fig. 2. Leucoloma strictifolium. a, plant, in dry state, x 1 ; b,
leaf, x 20. Fig. 3. Fissidens subfirmus. a, leaf, x 20 ; b, apex of leaf, x 50 ;
c, upper cells, x 200. Fig. 4. Fissidens karwarensis. a, leaf, * 20; b, apex of leaf,
x 50 ; c, upper cells, x 200. Fig. 5. Fissidens immutatus. a, leaf, x 20 ; b, apex of leaf,
x 50 ; c, upper cells, x 200. Fig. 6. Fissidens macrosporus. a, plant, x 1 (above, dry ;
below, moist) ; b, leaf, x 20 ; c, upper cells, x 200 ; d,
lid and spores, x 30 ; e, calyptra, x 30. Fig. 7. Barbula dharwarensis. a leaf, x 20 ; b, apex of leaf,
showing nerve in profile, X 50. Fig. 8. Pinnatella limbata. a, stem (dry), x 1 ; b, leaf, x
20 ; c, upper marginal cells, x 200. Fig. 9. Ctenidium stereodontoides. a, part of stem, X 2; b, stem
leaf, X 20 ; c. branch leaf, x 20. Fig. 10. Vesicularia levieri. a, lateral leaf, X 20 ; b, apex of
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