692 CRYPTOGAMIA MUSCI. 



The pollen, or powder, is green. Linn^us fays, 

 that this capfule, or Anthcra, when it burlls, 

 makes a fmall explofion. 

 There is a variety of this with flender capillary 

 branches, narrower and more acute leaves, and 

 longer ftalks, but in other refpefts fimilar to the 

 foregoing. SttBU'en. mufc. t. 32./. 2. 



It is generally believed that the roots and decayed 

 ftalks of this mofs conftitute a principal part of 

 that ufeful bituminous fubftancc call'd peat, 

 which is the chief fuel of the northern regions. 

 So that thofe parts of the creation, which, to 

 the inconfiderate mind of man, appear the moft 

 trifling and infignificant, will be often found, 

 upon mature enquiry, to be ordainM by Provi- 

 dence for the wifeft and moft gracious purpofes. 



The Lapland matrons are well acquainted with this 

 mofs. They dry and lay it in their children's 

 cradle, to fupply the place of bed, bolfter, and 

 every covering ; and, being changM night and 

 morning, it keeps the infant remarkably clean, 

 dry, and v/arm. It is fufficiently foft of itfelf, 

 but the tender mother, not fatlsfied with this, 

 frequently covers the mofs with the downy hairs 

 of the rein-deer, and by thar means makes a 

 moft delicate neft for the new-born babe. VL 

 Lcippen. 



PHASCUM, 



