212 MOSSES OF FIFESHIRE. [July , 



don. Wort, or Wyrt, the ancient word for ^ plant/ has been al- 

 ready explained as signifying a species of Mint. It is not pro- 

 bable that the placid, cheerful Vervain was the plant known in 

 modern times by this name, viz. the Vervain of our ancient 



poets. 



" Here holy Vervain, and here Dili, 

 'Gamst witchcraft much avaiUug." 



The Oak and the Yew are not unnoticed in Celtic poetry. The 

 former is qualified as the '' fiend's aversion ;" the latter is clia- 

 racfcerized by pliability and elasticity, — the " bended Yew.'' The 

 Thistle is also commemorated in these ancient Celtic strains : — 



" But ye have been sporting on plains 

 And pursuing tlie Thistle's beard," 



spoken to an indolent hero or unwarlike wight. But the allu- 

 sions to modern poetic flowers, such as the Cowslip, the Prim- 

 rose, the Daisy, the Lily, and the Rose, are not numerous in 

 (Celtic poetry. 



MOSSES OE FIFESHIRE. 

 By C. Howie. 



Encalypta vulgaris, Hedwig. On Largo Links ; the var. 7 on 

 St. Andrew Links, also sparingly. 



Encalypta ciliata, Hedw. On hills above Newburgh, on the 

 north aspect. 



Hedwigia ciliata, Hedw. Common over the county, present- 

 ing several marked variations. 



Schistidium apocarpum, Br. and Sch. Of universal distribu- 

 tion over the county. Var. ^raci/e in a den above Falkland. Var. 

 rivulare in Kenly, and other streams, with various other forms. 

 — Much variation is observable in various species that distribute 

 themselv.es under conditions differing widely as regards soil and 

 situation, not only among plants of cellular structure, but also 

 among the higher phanerogamous plants, observable in the species 

 of various genera. 



Schistidium maiitimum, Br. and Sch. On rocks by the Tay 

 and Firtli of Forth ; also east of St. Andrew's. 



Grimmia pitlvi7iata, Smith. Common on Avails and rocks. 



