118 HTSTOEY OF BEITISH MOSSES. 



Spring. A very common but most variable Moss, whence 

 it has been called the " very Proteus " of the family. These 

 varieties of form seem to depend a good deal on the locality 

 in which the plants grow, and we note the following as the 

 most distinct. 



Var. nigro-viricUs, or rivular'is: stems more elongated 

 and divided; leaves more broadly ovate, blackish-green. 

 On rocks in moist places, or by the sides of streams, some- 

 times on trees. The bright red teeth of the peristome are 

 beautiful objects in Spring. 



Var. stricta : stems also elongated ; leaves narrower. In 

 subalpine districts. 



Yar. conferta : densely pulvinate ; leaves oblong, lanceo- 

 late; lid shortly rostrate; teeth of the peristome orange. 

 Rocks on the mountains, ascending to a considerable alti- 

 tude. It is found in various localities on Arthur's Seat, close 

 to Edinburgh. 



Dr. Taylor, in the ' Flora Hibernica,' mentions a variety 

 at the Dargle river, whose '^ capsules are higher than the 

 perichsetia." 



2. GuiMMiA MAEiTiMA, Turn. {Sea-side Grimmia.) Stems 

 short, pulvinate ; leaves lanceolate, acuminate, nearly erect, 

 crisped when dry, their margins recurved, those of the peri- 



