00llj0p£ Jlatnralists' fulh Cltib* 



THE MOSSES OF HEREFORDSHIRE AND OF THE 

 ADJACENT DISTRICTS. 



[By the Rev. Augcstin Ley, M.A.] 



TITHE subject of this paper is one which has not yet been thoroughly worked 

 ^\j out. Indeed, the chief inducement to put together the facts which have 

 hitherto been collected on the subject of Herefordshire Mosses, in the 

 form of a paper for the Woolhope Club, is the hope that some more observers may 

 be thereby stirred up to assist in filling up its deficiencies. With this object, it 

 has been thought best to publish, without further delay, in the Woolhope Club 

 Transactions, the list of mosses for Herefordshire, which has been compiled mainly 

 by the Rev. J. F. Crouch, Rector of Pembridge, together with such short notes 

 upon them and some of the more interesting mosses of the surrounding districts as 

 may suggest themselves. 



In the following paragraphs I have attempted to group the mosses found in 

 our district with reference to the chief habitats in which they are found. 



Of strictly Alpine mosses, we have, of course, no representative ; yet there 

 is one which, in all its associations, is so connected wth Alpine vegetation that it 

 might almost claim a place among Alpines itself. It is the rock Andreaea {Andrecea 

 petrophila, Ehrh.), which is known in two spots which may be reckoned within the 

 Woolhope district. It was discovered by Mr. Crouch, on the rocks of the Hoar 

 Edge, Titterstone Clee Hill, where it exists in abundance ; and it occurs also at 

 Nant Gwyllt, in one of the most beautiful spots of the scenery of the Elan, Rad- 

 norshire. Doubtless, when looked for, it will also be found elsewhere, on bleak, 

 exposed rocks. Its minute chocolate coloured leaves and stems clinging to the 

 stones like a lichen, or still more like some of the Alpine Scale-mosses, are easily 

 recognised, when once known. No other member of this interesting genus is likely 

 to occur with us ; and I have searched in vain for this one in the Black Mountain 

 district, where it ought to be found. 



But though we can thus scarcely lay claim to Alpine or sub- Alpine mosses, 

 when we come down a step, to those which inhabit hill or lower mountain districts, 



