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196 This species is a true Amblystegium, ''Bryol. Europ., and resembles very closely Ambtystegium Spruceii (Hypnum Conferva, Drumm. Musc. Amer. No. 190; Platydictya Spruceii, Berk.''), particularly in its normally asymmetrical and cernuous capsule; differing mainly in the inflorescence, which in the latter species is dioicous.

Ambtystegium confervoides, ''Bryol. Europ.'', another very nearly related species, is a larger and more rigid plant, has a more pinnate ramification, longer and thicker branches, and leaves more crowded, appressed when dry, entire on their margins, and of a closer areolation: its capsule also is oblong and incurved.

Two other species of Amblystegium, A. subtile and A. tenuissimum are near allies of our plant; the first, however, is larger, and has shortly bicostate and entire perichætial leaves, an oblong-capsule, and a peristome without ciliolæ; in the second species (not found in this country) the capsule is oblong and erect, the perichætial leaves are costate beyond the middle, and the annulus is absent.

TAB. 120.—