James Eustace Bagnall

“ Hence, I can only indicate the most likely mosses to be found in particular habitats. In many instances the same plants may be found flourishing in equal abundance in a variety of habitats. I have already mentioned Ceratodon purparens, as a moss to be found everywhere. It is abundant on heathy waysides and on old walls, thatched roofs, and even on trees it is no less plentiful. ”

“ Many other mosses will also usually be found in like habitats.
Marly and clayey banks will yield such mosses as Fissidens bryoides, a very beautiful little moss, known by its flattened foliage, with leaves on opposite sides of the stem, looking very fern-like, fruit-stalk arising from the top of the stem and surmounted by an erect reddish capsule, with a cone-shaped lid, and a fringe of sixteen bifid teeth. The fruit of this moss ripens from October to the end of the year. ”

“ A larger species, Fissidens tarifolins, will frequently occur with this, but the fruit-stalks arises from the base of the stem, the capsule is somewhat curved, and has a longish beak, fruit ripe in November. A species similar to F. bryoides is also frequent in Warwickshire, this is readily distinguished from it by the capsule, which is curved to one side. This is Fissidens incurvus. This species ripens its fruit about February or March. ”