76 MOSSES. 



slightly pointed, and the fringe single. The central col- 

 umn falls away with the lid : the veil is small. This 

 group includes the grimmias and the Fringe mosses. 



The close tufted and sessile grimmias (Schistidium Con- 

 fertum and Apocarpum) have the base of the veil torn 

 and jagged. 



The Sea-side sessile grimmia (S. maritimum) Fanny 

 found on slate rocks on the coast of Cornwall, its dense 

 tufts of dull brownish green contrasting pleasantly with 

 the golden and white Lichens. Its leaves are long and 

 stiff, and its urn is seated on the top of the stem. Its 

 fruit is perfect in the middle of winter. 



The grey-cushioned grimmia (G. pulvinata, Plate V.,fig. 

 1 4) grows abundantly on rocks and walls in most locali- 

 ties. It was thriving well upon the old bridge at Gun- 

 nerside. It is densely tufted. 



Every leaf is terminated by a hair, which gives an 

 appearance to the round cluster-like velvet pile ; the 

 fruit-stalks, which are erect now, are daintily arched in 

 youth, so that the urn bends down again till it touches 

 the leaves. 



The round-fruited Grimmia has narrower leaves, and 

 the Spiral Grimmia has striped urns. Schultz's Grimmia, 

 and the Tall Alpine Grimmia, are much larger plants ; 

 and the Oval fruited, Hoary, and Dingy Grimmias have 

 the base of the veil lobed. {Plate V., Jig. 1 5). 



The Fringe moss family (Kacomitrium) resemble the 

 larger Grimmias ; they are tall and branched ; the leaves 

 are spreading, and often adorned with hairy points ; and 

 the veil is mitre-shaped and often cloven at the base ; the 

 urn is oval, the lid straight. 



