MOSSES. 



73 



rubbish. It was taller than the other species, and the 

 leaves were of a dull green, twisted and turned back. 

 There was no fruit on our specimens. The urns are 

 reddish and oval (T. Fallax, Plate VI., Jig. 7). 



Early last spring, when wandering in the beautiful 

 combes of Somersetshire, I found large cushions of the 

 twisted Screw Moss (Tortula tortuosa, Jig. 8). The stems 

 were high and closely matted 

 together, and the lono; leaves 

 growing in dense whorls round 

 the stem were all curiously 

 twisted. The pale tint and 

 elastic feeling of the cushions 

 attracted my attention. After- 

 wards I found the same Moss 

 upon rocks in Swaledale, but in 

 both instances there was no 

 fructification. I have recently received specimens from 

 Blair- Athole with abundant urns, both them and the 

 stalks yellowish-brown. 



Another Screw Moss I have found abundantly on 

 trees and thatch. The great Hairy Screw Moss (T. ruralis, 

 Plate VI., Jig. 9), has tall stems, leaves spreading, turned 

 back with hairy points, and long curved urns. In York- 

 shire and Herefordshire it frequents trees, as also in the 

 Bath neighbourhood ; but the finest specimens I ever 

 gathered were off thatched cottages in Wilts and Somerset. 

 It is said to be a great preservative to the thatch. 



Midler's Screw Moss (T. Mullen, Plate VI., Jig. 10), is 

 of a size intermediate between the two first of our 

 collection, and the Twisted species. It grows in reddish 



DICRANUM. 2. TORTULA. 

 3. EXCALYPTA. 



