104 HISTORY OF BRITISH MOSSES. 



CONOSTOMUM, Swartz. (Conostomum.) 



" Conical mouth/^ so named on account of the teeth of 

 the peristome forming a cone by their union at the summit. 



Generic Character. — Seta terminal. Peristome single, of six- 

 teen equidistant teeth, all united at their summits. Calyptra 

 dimidiate. 



1. Conostomum boreale, Sw. {Northern Conostomum.) 

 Stems elongated; leaves lanceolate^ acuminate, carinate, 

 glaucouSj slightly toothed. — JLnrjl. Fl. 2^- 17; Mull. Syn. 

 ^;/. 1.^;.469. 



On the summits of the mountains, not descending lower 

 than 3000 feet. Er. July and September. In external ap- 

 pearance much resembling the Fountain Apple-Moss, and 

 has been by several authors arranged with Bartramia. It 

 loves the damp oozy spots left by the snow for a short time 

 in summer. Barren stems are sometimes found four or five 

 inches long, though when fertile it does not exceed one and 

 a half inch. 



" Vainly in its icy manacles 

 May winter seek thy plenitude to bind." 



